Turner Co. principal named new MCHS boss

Stone, 35, comes to Madison County High School from Ashburn, where he’s principal of Turner County High School.

Stone was the first choice of both superintendent Mitch McGhee and the interview committee.

“We feel real good about this hire,” McGhee said. “We think we got the right man for the job, and we’re looking forward to moving forward.”

Craft, who served one year as MCHS’s principal, leaves following graduation exercises for a superintendent’s job in Emanuel County.

Stone was scheduled to meet with MCHS faculty this week and sign a contract. He’ll take over May 27.

McGhee said he believes Stone, hired by the school board with a 5-0 vote, intends to stay at Madison County for several years.

“We really don’t believe this is a two-or-three-year deal and (then) he’s going to be looking to go,” McGhee said.

Stone has 12 years of education experience, including nine in administration.

He began his career in 1997, student teaching at Montgomery County High School.

Stone started at Turner County High School in 2000, serving as an assistant principal for six years before rising to the principal’s post in 2006.

He also spent two years as Turner County’s technical and agricultural education director during his stint as assistant principal.

“That was attractive to us, too, because we have such a strong CTAE and ag program,” McGhee said.

McGhee touted Stone’s track record with AYP as one of the deciding factors.

Turner County High School met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in three of Stone’s four years on the job — the only high school in the Coastal Georgia RESA to do so.

McGhee also pointed to Stone’s familiarity with the Learning Focus School Program — an instructional strategy adopted by many schools, including Madison County.

“He has been strong in Learning Focus Schools and has brought that to his school down in Turner County,” McGhee said.

Stone holds an undergraduate degree from Brewton-Parker College, a master’s from Albany State University and a specialist’s from Nova Southeastern University.

He’s working on a PhD through Argosy University and is scheduled to graduate in July.