Amanda Holmes will become the new principal at Sherwood Acres Elementary School following a vote from the Dougherty County Board of Education Monday evening, after being recommended by Superintendent Kenneth Dyer.

Holmes, who currently serves as assistant principal, has been promoted to fill the vacancy left by Principal Yvette Simmons who accepted an appointment to serve as the district’s Director of the Exceptional Students Program.

"It is truly an honor and a privilege to be selected to serve as principal of Sherwood Acres Elementary School," Holmes said. "My goal is to build upon our school’s legacy of success, maintaining the high standards that define us while seeking new and innovative ways to enhance learning. Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey. I am committed to fostering an environment where our students, teachers, and staff thrive, grow, and push beyond limits. Together, we will continue to create a learning experience where every student feels valued, inspired, and prepared to excel in an ever-changing world. I am excited about what the future holds for Sherwood Acres Elementary School!"

She has served at Sherwood Acres since her assignment there in 2023. Prior to that, she served as assistant principal at Turner Elementary School where she served from 2017 to 2023. She has also served as an instructional coach at Merry Acres Middle School and a teacher at Albany High School.

Holmes holds an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and a Master’s degree in Science Education from Albany State University. She is also a graduate of the district’s Aspiring Principals Academy— a program designed to equip high-potential educational leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary for impactful leadership.

“Ms. Holmes has served effectively as an assistant principal, and has long been recognized as a high performing and high potential servant leader. She was in the DCSS’s first Aspiring Principals Academy cohort in 20xx, and has continued to grow and develop in preparation for her next level of leadership. I am excited to see how she will build upon the solid foundation and spirit of excellence already established at Sherwood Acres Elementary”, said DCSS Superintendent Kenneth Dyer.