West Hall High School Principal Jackie Adams announced her retirement Monday at a faculty meeting.

Adams has been with Hall County Schools for 37 years, starting as a teacher at Oakwood Elementary School in 1982 and moving her way up to principal at West Hall starting in 2003, when she replaced retiring Jack Pirkle.

"She wanted to announce today before the end of the year," said Hall County Superintendent Will Schofield. "It’s something she’s wrestled with the last couple of years because she loves that school and hasn’t wanted to leave."

Adams was assistant principal at Johnson High School in 1989, assistant principal at West Hall Middle School in 1993 and assistant principal at West Hall High School in 1997 before starting the principal position.

"She led a renaissance for the last several years, bringing in the International Baccalaureate program and the honors mentorship," Schofield said. "She’s done a marvelous job creating one of the best high schools in America, as it was recognized by U.S. News and World Report."

Schofield said he will immediately put together a search committee and expects applicants from inside and outside the school.

"We know we’ll have a lot of fantastic applicants and can leave it in good hands," he said.