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Escambia School Board Approves New Administrators At Ernest Ward, Jim Allen, McArthur And Others
June 18, 2025
Tuesday night, the Escambia County School Board approved several new administrators for the next school year.
They are:
- Brianna Cooks – Curriculum Coordinator at Jim Allen Elementary to Assistant Principal at Jim Allen Elementary
- Stephanie Gilmore – Assistant Principal at Jim Allen Elementary to Principal at McArthur Elementary
- Rodney Drish – Out of District to Assistant Principal at Ernest Ward Middle
- La Tris Garner – Curriculum Coordinator at Navy Point Elementary to Assistant Principal at West Pensacola Elementary
- Joshua Jackson – Assistant Principal at Bailey Middle to Principal at Ferry Pass Middle
- Holly Shumpert – Curriculum Resource teacher Title I to I.B. Coordinator at Pensacola High School
- Emily Watford – School Transformation Specialist to Assistant Principal at O.J. Semmes Elementary
“This opportunity is a blessing that I will not take likely,” Cooks said of her new role as Jim Allen assistant principal.
“Go Eagles! I am excited to work with the staff,” Drish said of Ernest Ward. “I believe we are going to take that school to great heights.” Drish is coming from Pike County Elementary School in Brundidge, Alabama (near Troy) where has been for the past seven years, the last three as principal.
“Thank you for the incredible opportunity to lead McArthur Elementary School,” Gilmore said. “I look forward to working as a united school community to create an environment where every student can thrive.”
The appointments are effective July 1.
Pictured top: Rodney Drish, new assistant principal at Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured below: Brianna Cooks, new assistant principal at Jim Allen Elementary School. Pictured second below: Stephanie Gilmore, new principal at McArthur Elementary School. The news administrators addressed, and were welcomed by, the Escambia County School Board Tuesday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
2 Responses to “Escambia School Board Approves New Administrators At Ernest Ward, Jim Allen, McArthur And Others”
Patty, they do have a Behavior Coach at Jim Allen. They are just not there full time. She is assigned to several other schools that she has to also cover during the week or as needed.
I hope Mrs, Cooks has plans on getting a behavioral coach at Jim Allen in order to help the students who need it the most.