May 10, 2024

At its Thursday, May 9 meeting, the Clarke County Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Makeba Clark as the next principal of Cedar Shoals High School, effective July 1. The appointment follows an extensive search process by the district for the most qualified candidate that included input from the school’s local school governance team. 

Dr. Clark, who will replace outgoing principal Antonio Derricotte, has more than two decades of educational experience and has spent most of her career with the Clarke County School District, first as a teacher and then as an administrator. She has been the principal of Burney-Harris-Lyons (BHL) Middle School since July 2017 and was an assistant principal there from 2012-2015 prior to becoming principal at Cousins Middle School in Covington. She also was an assistant principal at Howard B. Stroud Elementary School for three years and taught math and science at W.R. Coile Middle School for five years.

“I am deeply honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the new principal of Cedar Shoals High School. My commitment is to cultivate a culture that is nurturing and safe, while upholding high expectations for academic excellence and fostering a strong sense of school pride,” said Dr. Clark. “I am fully dedicated to providing every student with equitable opportunities and enriching learning experiences that prepare them for success beyond high school. I am excited to collaborate with our staff, students, parents, and the community as we embark on this journey toward greatness together.”

Dr. Clark holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Albany State University, masters in K-12 Instructional Education from Central Michigan University, and her doctorate in Teaching and Learning from Argosy University, where she also earned an education specialist degree. 

“Throughout her career, Dr. Clark has earned the reputation as a highly effective instructional leader who has experience leading schools in transition with a focus on improving student achievement,” said Dr. Robbie Hooker, CCSD Superintendent. “She is committed to academic excellence for all students and has a long track record of building positive relationships with students and their families as well as faculty, staff, and community members.”

The search for the next principal of BHL Middle School will begin immediately with the goal of having a new principal in place before the start of the 2024-25 school year.