A few familiar faces will be taking on new roles in Hall County schools this fall.
Beth Skarda, who was the assistant principal at Sugar Hill Elementary, was promoted to principal. And Robin Gower, who was the assistant principal at Flowery Branch Elementary, will serve as the new principal at Tadmore Elementary.
The Hall County school board recently approved the two new principals and appointed four new assistant principals as well.
Elizabeth Vanausdoll, a special education teacher, will become Chestnut Mountain Elementary’s new assistant principal.
Brittney Bennett, an instructional coach, will serve as the assistant principal at the World Language Academy.
Karol Scarborough, a media specialist, will become Flowery Branch High’s assistant principal.
And Shane Rayburn, a first-grade Lanier Elementary teacher who was named Hall County teacher of the year last year, will become Flowery Branch Elementary’s new assistant principal.
New principals
Beth Skarda
New position: Sugar Hill Elementary School principal
Previous position: Sugar Hill assistant principal for four years
Educational background: West Hall Middle assistant principal for two years; instructional coach at East Hall Middle for six years
Goals for Sugar Hill: Develop the school as a more state standards-based school; communicate more with parents on child’s academic progress; continue developing the school’s Response to Intervention program that provides struggling students more free tutoring opportunities before, during and after school
Family: Gainesville native has two boys who attend Sugar Hill: Ethan, 7, and Elijah, 5. Skarda’s mother was a Hall County teacher at East Hall Middle for 30 years.
Hobbies: Enjoying the outdoors, scrap booking, cooking
Robin Gower
New position: Tadmore Elementary School principal
Previous position: Flowery Branch Elementary assistant principal for two years
Educational background: Assistant professor of early and secondary education at North Georgia College & State University for two years; state Department of Education director of training program for implementing state standards for one year; Buford schools classroom teacher for 10 years; director of curriculum for Buford schools for three years
Goals for Tadmore: Promote technology initiatives; reinforce state standards-based teaching; increase rigor for all students; maintain Tadmore’s quality faculty
Family: Buford native has been married 32 years and has a 28-year-old son.
Hobbies: Youth choir director at First Baptist church in Buford, singing, reading