Schools

LHS Principal Nathan Franklin to Move up to WCPS

New principal to be sought for LHS. Linder interim appointment made permanent

Two new appointments announced at the March meeting came up through the Loganville ranks.

will again be looking for a new principal following the announcement that Nathan Franklin will move up to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Facilities in the new school year. In addition, Rusty Linder, interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, was given the permanent appointment to the position. Before being appointed to the interim position in January on the death of Robert Darla, Linder was a former assistant principal of and principal of .

Franklin is the second principal from LHS to move up to the main office in the last five years. The former principal, Gary Hobbs, succeeded Timothy Lull in 2007 as Superintendent of WCPS.

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“It has been an honor to serve the last five years as the principal of Loganville High School. I have enjoyed working with a talented and dedicated staff, and an outstanding student body and school community,” Franklin said in a press release. “I look forward to serving in this new role, working with all of our schools and the Walton County community. Our school system continues to grow in a dynamic and exciting way, reaching new heights of academic achievement and building an excellent infrastructure which will take us into the future.”

Hobbs said both Franklin and Linder are deeply vested in Walton County and WCPS.

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“They have exhibited great ability as administrators for many years. Their families live in Walton County and their children attend our schools. Both are committed to ensuring that our district continues to be successful and are very familiar with our facilities and administration,” Hobbs said. “Because of their knowledge of our school system this transition will be seamless. It is wonderful to have such highly qualified, capable candidates to promote within the system.”

Linder said he was excited about the opportunity to work in his new role.

“Over the past ten years it has been an honor to work closely with an outstanding and committed staff, a supportive community, and enthusiastic students,” he said in the release.

WCPS spokesperson Kim Embry said at this point no replacement for Franklin has been announced. She said she expects the recruiting process to begin soon. Franklin will remain as principal of LHS until the end of the school year.

WCPS provided the following information about the appointees

Rusty Linder

Rusty Linder was named Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction effective immediately at the March board of education meeting.

Linder had 16 years of experience in education before coming to Walton County. He worked as a high school biology teacher, a K-8 exceptional education teacher, a middle school science teacher and as the principal of a K-8 school.

Linder came to WCPS in 2002 and served as the assistant principal of Loganville Primary until 2004 when he became the principal of Youth Elementary where he served until 2007.  From 2007 through January of 2012 Mr. Linder served as a Director of Curriculum.

Nathan Franklin

Nathan Franklin has been named the Assistant Superintendent of Facilities effective at the end of this school year.

Franklin worked as a math teacher and associate principal at Dacula High School and Norcross High School in Gwinnett County for more than a decade before joining the Walton County Public Schools staff.  He served briefly as an assistant principal at Loganville High School and was named principal in 2007. He has been the Principal of Loganville High School for five years.

Franklin’s professional experiences include:

  • working as a coach and athletic director,
  • responsibility for testing, curriculum, and instructional leadership
  • budgetary and facility management
  • Member of Leadership Walton Alumni Association
  • 2010-2012 Region 8AAAA President
  • 2011 NEGA RESA Leadership Advisory Council
  • 011-2012 GASSP District L President

 Franklin has lived in Walton County since 1996.  His wife Julie is a graduate of LHS and they have 3 children. Franklin is very active in the community and is involved with many organizations including:

  • Kiwanis – Kiwanis of Loganville
  • Bay Creek Baptist Church – Sunday school teacher and assistant superintendent
  • Walton County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee
  • City of Loganville Business Council Member
  • City of Loganville – Livable City Initiative Core Team Member
  • 2009 – 2010 Walton County Chamber of Commerce United Way Campaign Team
  • PAGE – Professional Association of Georgia Educators
  • NASSP – National Association of Secondary School Principals
  • GASSP – Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals

Professional Education:          

Educational Doctorate in Executive Leadership

Lincoln Memorial University, May 2012

Educational Specialist in Administration and Leadership

            Lincoln Memorial University, June 2002

            Praxis Certified in Administration and Leadership

Masters in Mathematics Education

            Piedmont College, June 1999

            Gifted Education Certification

            Gwinnett County Public Schools, March 1999

            Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education

            University of Georgia, June 1996


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