Acting Superintendent Brannon Gaskins announces Dr. Donna Elder as the district’s new Executive Director of Federal Programs, effective Monday, January 24. Dr. Elder has served as the Principal of Winterville Elementary School since 2016. Dr. Melanie James, Winterville’s current Assistant Principal, will serve as Principal until a permanent replacement is hired. 

“While I am sad to be leaving the Winterville community, I look forward to lending my voice to serving all students and families in Clarke County,” states Dr. Elder. “I will miss the wonderful Winterbee students and dedicated staff, but I know they are in great hands with Dr. James.”

Dr. Elder received a BS in Science and an MA in Adult Education from the University of Georgia and her doctorate in School Improvement and Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia. She has served as Special Educational Coordinator and Assistant Principal at Cleveland Road and Timothy Road Elementary Schools. 

“Dr. Elder’s vast experience in educational leadership made her the perfect fit for this critical role in our district,” states Gaskins. “We will promptly begin the search for a new principal at Winterville Elementary and work with the Winterville Local School Governance Team to select a leader who will continue to uphold the school’s excellence in leadership and achievement.”