Schools name Early Childhood director

City Schools Decatur has named Sarah Garland as permanent director of the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center. Garland, who’s been at College Heights since 2010, and spent 25 years as an early childhood specialist, has been interim director since school opened in August.

Suzanne Kennedy, who’d been principal (the title was changed to “director” this year) since CHECLC opened in 2006 retired at the end of last year. Superintendent David Dude said parental support was overwhelming to make Garland permanent.

Even still, CSD will have three openings for principals out of nine schools by year’s end. Interims are currently serving at Oakhurst Elementary and Renfroe Middle, plus the impending retirement of Glennwood Elementary’s Dianna Herron-Watson in June.

Garland grew up in Cincinnati but moved to Georgia in 1988 to attend the University of Georgia, where she earned a psychology degree in 1992. After several years as a mental health professional she went into education where, besides her time at College Heights, she has been director of a Montessori school and director of education for a child care franchise.

The CHECLC has 342 students, a number that can’t increase due to state ratios.

Last year CSD purchased three acres on East Trinity Place, eventual home for a new ECLC.