BUFORD — Buford City Schools announced on Monday that a new principal was hired for Buford High School. The school system decided to promote from within Buford City Schools to fill the vacant principal position at the high school. The Board selected current Buford Middle School principal Teresa Hagelthorn to lead Buford High School starting April 1, 2020.
Hagelthorn is a Buford native and a graduate of the University of Georgia where she earned a degree in mathematics education. She has extensive experience in a wide range of situations that will aid her in her new role at BHS. According to a statement sent out by BCS, Hagelthorn has “cheerleading, basketball, cross country, and track and served as a hearing officer on disciplinary panels.” She has also served in administrative roles at Buford Academy, Buford Middle School, and Buford High School.
“It is an absolute honor to welcome Ms. Hagelthorn to Buford High School. In a pool of highly qualified candidates, she rose to the top and we are confident in her abilities and the skillset that she will bring to BHS,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Downs. “The experience she has gleaned from the younger grades provides a foundational understanding of the high school students with which she will be working.”
BHS Interim Principal Scott Chafin did a tremendous job for BCS and he will be returning to his normal position of Assistant Principal at Buford Academy. Superintendent Dr. Robert Downs said, “I would be remiss if I did not take an opportunity to publicly thank Mr. Chafin for his dedication and service to Buford High School. He is a consummate leader and advocate for children. The Academy has felt his absence and is looking forward to having his leadership back in their school.”
In order to take the BHS Principal position, Hagelthorn will have to vacate her current role as the Principal of Buford Middle School. BMS Assistant Principal Laura Beth Short will be promoted to be the Principal at the middle school. Short has been an assistant principal at BMS for the past five years and has spent the last 13 years in administration roles. Short was an assistant principal at North Gwinnett High School before making her transition to Buford City Schools. While at NGHS, Short served as the
Testing Coordinator.
“Mrs. Short’s depth of knowledge in curriculum and testing will lead the BMS students to be even more prepared for high school,” Buford City Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Downs said. “We know the BMS family will continue to thrive under her leadership and will be excited about this announcement.”
One more administrator was announced during this release and that announcement was that the School Board elected to create a new Associate Principal position for the high school. That position will be filled by Keith Johnson, a current Assistant Principal at BHS.
Like Hagelthorn, Short and Johnson will assume their new roles on April 1, 2020.
