A familiar face will step into the principal’s office at West Town Elementary School on Aug. 1 following a vote from the Dougherty County Board of Education.

Dr. Narkisa Howard will take over for Steven Dudley when school starts for the 2019-2020 school year. Dudley was named principal at Radium Springs Middle School of the Arts earlier this year.

Howard, who has been in education since 1997, had most recently been serving as the assistant principal at West Town where she had done so since 2017.  Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal at Lamar Reese Magnet School of the Arts. Howard started her career in Newton County as a 5th-grade teacher. Since that time she has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.

“As principal of West Town Elementary I am committed to leading by example, by inspiring and motivating the staff and parents to build a network that ensures our children reach their highest potential,” Howard said.  “I feel that my experience as a teacher and administrator has prepared me to enter this role. I’m excited, grateful and ready to have an awesome year.”

Superintendent Kenneth Dyer said that Dr. Howard was the best choice to lead West Town.

"We're proud to have Dr. Howard on the team at West Town," Superintendent Kenneth Dyer said. "She has a broad depth of experience across the educational spectrum ranging from student and teacher development to monitoring assessments and student discipline. West Town has become one of our most improved schools and we're excited to see where Dr. Howard and her team can take it."

The district will begin searching for Howard’s replacement as assistant principal this week.