"She was a very

neat lady and extremely well-liked."

That sentiment, spoken

up the feelings toward Madras Middle School principal Lauren Stepaniak.

Last week, Stepaniak

passed away following a long illness. The school and Superintendent Peggy

Connell informed students and parents by letter of Stepaniak's passing.

Jackson said Stepaniak

took the Madras in July, after a career with the Department of Defense

Domestic Dependent school system, and teaching positions in Fort Buchanon

and Aguadillo, Puerto Rico; Guam; and Cibolo, Texas, among other posts.

Before coming to the Coweta County School System she served as a public

relations specialist with the Department of Defense in Peachtree City.

"Mrs. Stepaniak

recently told her husband that being named principal of Madras Middle

School was the highlight of her career," said Dr. Peggy Connell,

in the letter to students and parents. "The Coweta County School

System, along with the Madras family, joins together in remembering her

family and friends during this difficult time."

"She was a great

educator and very committed to the success of Madras Middle and the students

and staff here," said Rick Waggoner, assistant principal at Madras.

"She was a compassionate lady and had a lot of positive educational

ideas she was implementing at Madras to make it one of the best middle

schools."

Services were held

for Stepaniak last Saturday.

The Coweta County

School System also announced last week that Karen Wyler would be the interim

principal at Madras. Wyler was serving as the curriculum lead teacher

at Eastside Elementary School in Senoia, and has had a long career in

education.

"For the last

two years, she was the elementary principal at Landmark Christian School,"

Jackson said.

Prior to her appointment

at Landmark, Wyler taught for several years at Fayette County schools,

including Braelinn Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary and Kedron Elementary.