At its Thursday, June 12 meeting, the Clarke County Board of Education approved five district and school leadership hires and appointments for the 2025-26 school year.
Dr. Craig L. Merkerson has been hired as Director of the Office of Early Learning, overseeing operations at the district’s Early Learning Center East and West locations. He will replace Suzanne Kennedy and Crystal “Chris” Walker, who have served as co-interim directors for the past two school years.
Audrey Carlisle has been hired as Executive Director of Human Resources and will lead the district’s initiatives for hiring, developing, and retaining top-quality talent in schools and the District Office. She replaces Dan Swartz who was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources earlier this year.
School Nutrition Coordinator Hillary Savage has been promoted to Executive Director of School Nutrition and will replace Paula Farmer, who is retiring June 30.
Clarke Central High School instructional coach Alexis Scott has been promoted to one of the school’s assistant principal positions.
Shanna McGettigan has been appointed as a full-time assistant principal at Whitehead Road Elementary School after holding that position on an interim basis last school year.
Dr. Merkerson has 20+ years of school and district leadership experience and has spent the last 11 years with the Hickman Mills C-1 School District in Kansas City, Missouri, having most recently served as Executive Director of District Support Services since 2023. He was also previously an assistant principal in the DeKalb County School District from 2005-2015. Dr. Merkerson earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bethune-Cookman College, his master’s in Foundations of Education from Troy State University, and his specialist and doctorate degrees in Educational Leadership from Argosy University.
"Quality early childhood education is the launching pad for lifelong success,” said Dr. Merkerson. “I'm honored to help build that foundation for every child in Clarke County, ensuring that not a single child's potential goes unrealized."
Ms. Carlisle also brings more than two decades of school and district leadership experience with her to CCSD and has served as Human Resources and Recruitment and Retention Manager for the Newton County School System since 2021. She also previously held leadership roles from 2004-2021 in Gwinnett County Public Schools and the DeKalb County School District. Ms. Carlisle holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Middle Grades Education (Math and Science) from Brenau University and a specialist degree in School Administration from Cambridge College.
"I am honored to join the Clarke County School District as Executive Director of Human Resources,” said Ms. Carlisle. “I look forward to supporting and empowering the incredible educators and staff who make a difference in the lives of students every day. Together, we will continue to build a positive, people-centered culture where everyone can thrive."
Ms. Savage has served as School Nutrition Coordinator for CCSD since 2012 and was previously with the Hall County School District for five years – first as School Nutrition Coordinator and then School Nutrition Director. She holds an associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a bachelor’s degree in Culinary Nutrition from Johnson & Wales University as well as a bachelor’s in Nutrition Science and Consumer Foods and master’s in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia.
“I am looking forward to leading in my new role as the Executive Director of School Nutrition,” said Ms. Savage. “Our school nutrition program will continue to focus on providing quality school meals and excellent customer service, and we will accomplish this task by implementing some new initiatives and partnerships during the upcoming school year.”
Ms. Scott joined Clarke Central as an instructional coach in 2021 and previously spent six years as a math teacher at Flowery Branch High School, Foothills Charter School, and then Banks County High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of Georgia and master’s Curriculum and Instruction from Columbus State University.
“I am so excited to continue serving the students, families, and faculty of Clarke Central as a new assistant principal,” said Ms. Scott. “I promise to bring the same level of enthusiasm and dedication to my new role that I had during my time as an instructional coach. The Gladiator community is one that I hold dear, and I am thrilled to continue to be a part of it in this new capacity.”
Ms. McGettigan has spent her entire 18-year career with CCSD and has been at Whitehead Road Elementary since 2011. After more than a decade as a pre-K, third-grade, fourth-grade, and Early Intervention Program (EIP) classroom teacher, she became the school’s Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) coordinator in 2022. She also previously taught pre-K at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School from 2007-2011.