School system's new faces

Grovetown Middle School: Carolyn Fries, former assistant principal of Harlem Middle School, was named Grovetown Middle School's new principal. The 27-year veteran will replace Tom McClendon, former principal of Oconee Middle School, who was named to head GMS this spring. He resigned in June, the week before his contract was set to begin, citing personal reasons. The school is now under construction and is expected to open mid-year.

Fries has been assistant principal at HMS for the past five years. She has eight years of experience teaching social studies and world history, and has been an administrator in Florida, Kentucky and Nevada.

Greenbrier High School: Dr. Sandra Carraway, who brought Riverside Middle School to national prominence when it was named a National Blue Ribbon School this year, is the new principal of Greenbrier High School. She replaces former Principal Gloria Hamilton who recently accepted an administrative position. Carraway, 38, a 17-veteran of education, has worked in the Columbia County school system for 14 years, stating as a teacher at Harlem High School, then as an assistant principal at Harlem High and Evans High School before moving to Riverside three years ago.

Greenbrier Middle School: Former assistant principal Jackie Creasy will begin her first year as principal of the school. A former special education teacher, she has 14 years of experience with the Columbia County School System. Creasy, who has served as assistant principal since the school opened last year, replaces Jeff Carney, who recently became principal at Lakeside High School.

Lakeside High School: Former Greenbrier Middle School Principal Jeff Carney will begin his first full year at the helm of Lakeside High, replacing former Principal Victor Lee who resigned during the 2001-2002 school year. At Lakeside, Carney, 37, will command a staff of 80 and a student population of 1,550.

Martinez Elementary School: Martinez Elementary School Assistant Principal Michele Sherman will take over as principal of the school this year, replacing Lauren Williams who was recently named to an administrative position. Sherman has been assistant principal at the school for the past three years, and has six years of teaching experience, one at Grovetown Elementary and five at Burke County.

North Columbia Elementary School: McDuffie County veteran educator Kay Sanders is the new principal of North Columbia Elementary School, replacing Linda Moehlman who resigned during the 2001-2002 school year. Sanders was formerly assistant principal of Norris Elementary School in Thomson and has been in administration for the past 15 years. She logged 13 years in the classroom as a fifth grade teacher at Dearing Elementary and at Pine Street Elementary.

Central Office: Former Martinez Elementary School principal Lauren Williams will begin her duties as the school system's executive director of school improvement. Her new responsibilities will involve staff development and programs to improve school performance. Dr. Williams had been at Martinez Elementary since 1988, moving through the ranks as a sixth grade teacher, then as assistant principal. She became Martinez Elementary's principal eight years ago.

Former Greenbrier High School Principal Gloria Hamilton will move to the central office to take on a newly created position as Title I instructional improvement director.