MCPS NEWS!
Community News Letter
Welcome to the 21-22 School Year
School Start and end times are as follows:
Elementary Schools: 8:15 am to 3:15 pm
Middle and High Schools: 7:45 am to 2:45 pm
All Mt. Pleasant Schools: 7:45 am to 2:45 pm.
Important 21-22 School Year Dates
Labor Day
Fall Break
Holiday
Early Out
Winter Break
MLK Day
Presidents Day
Spring Break
All Maury County Schools are on Spring Break the week of March 28, returning on Monday, April 4.
Central Office is closed March 31 & April 1.
Good Friday
Last Day of School
Friday, May 20 is the last day of school, it is a full day. End of 4th 9 wks (44 days) and End of 2nd Semester, 89 days.
Meet Maury County Schools Newest Principals
Dr. Cara Skaggs Named Whitthorne Middle Principal
Dr. Cara Skaggs will become the Principal at Whitthorne Middle School after serving as Interim Principal in 2020-2021. Dr. Skaggs has been an educator with Maury County Public Schools for 21 years, and while transitioning into various roles during that time, Maury County has remained her professional home. She began her teaching career at Riverside Elementary, transitioned to a literacy coach at Marvin Wright Elementary, and then served as the Coordinator of School Improvement at the district level. In December of 2021, Dr. Skaggs welcomed joining the Whitthorne Middle School family as their Interim Principal. Dr. Skaggs is a proud Middle Tennessee State University alum, as she earned her Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees there.
Tonjia Potts Named EA Cox Middle Principal
Carol Ann Jent Named Woodard Elementary Principal
Mrs. Jent received her Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Science degree, and Master of Arts degree from the University of North Alabama in Florence. She obtained her Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Middle Tennessee State University.
On being chosen as the next Principal at Woodard, Mrs. Jent replied, "I am extremely excited to carry on the tradition of academic excellence at Woodard Elementary. Woodard has a wonderful group of educators, and I am honored to be Woodard's new principal."
Kevin Eady Named Columbia Central Principal
Kinnard Named Battle Creek Middle Principal
Mike Kinnard spent the last two years as Battle Creek Middle Schools Assistant Principal and the previous six years at Spring Hill Middle School, both as an English teacher and assistant principal. Before that, he spent three years working for Cheatham County Schools both as a high school English teacher and principal. Mr. Kinnard has 17 years with Maury County Schools. Mr. Kinnard has also worked as a teacher and coach at Columbia Academy High School and Lewis County High School. Mr. Kinnard has coached baseball, football, basketball, tennis, and golf. He is originally from Columbia and attended Baker Elementary, Whitthorne Middle, and Columbia Central. Mr. Kinnard did his undergraduate and master's level work at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN. He completed his Educational Specialist degree online through Nova Southeastern University. Mr. Kinnard and his wife Sharon have three children and ten grandchildren. His favorite hobbies include watching Cardinals' baseball and traveling.
In being named Principal at BCMS, Mr. Kinnard said, "I am both honored and excited to be chosen for this position. I am humbled to be following in the footsteps of Dr. Will Penner. He started a fantastic school I plan to continue to grow. I am excited to work with the most positive faculty and staff I have ever been around to help students. We will continue to focus on the student's social and emotional development for their future and excel in academics.
It is a great honor that the team involved in the selection process decided to place me in this position. I look forward to working with the Middle School Coordinator, Dr. Breckon Pennell, and Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Michael Hickman, as we continue to move forward in Maury County."
Melissa Harkreader Named Mount Pleasant Middle School Principal
Melissa Harkreader most recently served as assistant principal at Centennial High School in Franklin, TN. Before that, Harkreader served in leadership roles at Hillsboro High School (IB World School), Antioch High School, and Cane Ridge High School. Also, at Cane Ridge High School, Harkreader was the Smaller Learning Communities Site Coach. Harkreader started her teaching career in Maury County at Hampshire Unit School, followed by Davidson Academy, Hunters Lane High School, and John Overton High School. As a teacher, Harkreader taught business education and technology.
In a message to district leadership and the staff at MPMS, Harkreader shared, "I'm excited to announce I'll be serving you and the Mount Pleasant community as principal of Mount Pleasant Middle School! Although new to MPMS, I'm not new to education. I started my teaching career at Hampshire with family roots in Chapel Hill, TN. I taught for 17 years before transitioning to administration, where I've served as assistant principal in Williamson and Davidson Counties. It feels like I've come "full-circle," and I can't wait to meet all of you! Stop by the school any time in the next few weeks! We're going to continue celebrating the great things happening at MPMS and continue growing our kids! More info coming soon!"