A widespread

shuffle of personnel means several key positions at individual Fayette

County schools remain to be filled with six weeks until students return

to class.

Two popular

principals have moved to the central office, several more administrators

retired, and the launch of two new schools created transfer opportunities

for others.

"This

is normal," said Melinda Berry-Dreisbach, public information specialist

for Fayette schools, pointing out that most all of the openings are the

result of moves up the ladder.

"These

openings are created by attrition and promotion, very typical," she

said.

Assistant principals

are being sought at Sandy Creek and Starr's Mill high schools, as well

as North Fayette Elementary, according to the job postings page on the

school district's website. A principal is needed for Robert Burch Elementary

to replace Barry James, who retired.

At the top

of the chain, Faith Hardnett, formerly principal at East Fayette, is now

in charge of student services at the county office. And Lyn Wenzel, who

was principal at J. C. Booth, was promoted to be head of curriculum as

part of Superintendent John DeCotis' new management structure.

Hardnett and

Wenzel essentially fill slots left open by the April retirement of Juliette

Babb, executive director of school improvement, and the resignation late

last year of Stuart Bennett, formerly assistant superintendent for education

who now works under State Superintendent Cathy Cox.

Thus, a dominos-like

series of transfers was set in motion:

Louis Robinson,

principal at North Fayette for four years, will replace Hardnett as principal

of East Fayette.

Ted Lombard,

who was an assistant principal at Starr's Mill, was named principal at

J.C. Booth, replacing Wenzel.

Jade Bolton,

an assistant at North Fayette under Robinson, has been named principal.

In other moves:

Oatha Mann,

assistant principal at Sandy Creek, has been named principal at Flat Rock

Middle;

Tyrone Jones,

principal at Flat Rock, to assistant principal at McIntosh High;

John Bouchell,

assistant principal at Oak Grove to assistant principal at Starr's Mill

High;

Julie Turner,

from assistant principal at Starr's Mill to asssiant principal at Oak

Grove;

Sharon Walters,

from assistant principal at Huddleston Elementary to assistant principal

at the new Crabapple Lane Elementary;

Audrey Toney,

from assistant principal at Flat Rock to assistant principal, Starr's

Mill.

A position

titled director of LEC (LaFayette Educational Center) is also being opened

to help balance the old workload of Mary Perry, who was principal of the

evening high school until she retired in June.