OKC district fills leadership vacancies

Four schools in the Oklahoma City district will have new principals in the coming year.

The schools are Bodine Elementary, Classen School of Advanced Studies, Greystone Elementary and Johnson Elementary, the district announced Thursday.

Each school had vacancies to fill.

Candice Hamilton-Greene will return to the district to lead Bodine Elementary. Hamilton-Greene previously taught at Edwards Elementary and has been a teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Millwood district since 2014.

“Known for her collaborative work style, Mrs. Greene looks forward to working closely with families, the Bodine community and staff to create the best learning environment for students,” spokeswoman Beth Harrison said in a statement.

She succeeds Nikki Coshow, who was selected to lead Edgemere Elementary.

Webster Middle School Principal Scot McAdoo will lead Classen School of Advanced Studies (SAS) in the 2018-19 school year.

McAdoo has been with the district since 1994 and previously served as Dean of Academics at Classen SAS before joining Webster as principal.

“He’s excited to be returning to Classen SAS to promote a shared vision of excellence that provides opportunities to maximize each student’s unique potential,” Harrison said.

McAdoo will succeed Ashley Davis who is leaving the district to become superintendent of Drumright Public Schools.

A new principal for Webster Middle School will be announced at a later date, a district spokeswoman said.

Shlonda Brewer will take over as principal of Greystone Elementary after serving as assistant principal for one year.

Brewer, a 13-year veteran of the district, also has been assistant principal at F.D Moon Academy and North Highland Elementary.

“Mrs. Brewer is committed to working with the teachers, staff, and parents to continue to build on this year’s success, ensuring all students leave Greystone academically, emotionally and socially prepared for middle school,” Harrison said.

Brewer will succeed Neal Johnson, who is leaving the district for a position in another state.

Additionally, Chris Thomas, an assistant principal at Jefferson Middle School, will take the reins as principal at Johnson Elementary for 2018-19.

Thomas has 13 years of experience as a teacher’s aid, elementary special education teacher, middle school special education teacher and middle school assistant principal.

“Chris believes building relationships with students, teachers, parents and the community is the key to a learning environment where every child feels loved, valued and important,” Harrison said.

Thomas will succeed Margaret Saunders Simpson, who will lead Wilson Elementary in the coming year.

Earlier this month, the district announced that five principals would lead different schools in the 2018-19 school year, which begins Aug. 1.

In April, the district reported that Johnson and two other principals were leaving.