By Barry H. Hendrix
Melisa Washington was approved May 21 as interim principal of Thomasville Elementary School by the Thomasville City Board of Education.
Chelsea Doggett has resigned as the TES principal to take care of her son, Jad, who is being treated for cancer. Doggett will return in the fall serving as the Career Coach at Thomasville High School.
“I have been working in the Thomasville City Schools district since 2014,” Washington said. “My journey in Thomasville began as a second grade teacher. Later I became a Reading Interventionist at Thomasville Middle School. For the past two years I worked in administration as an assistant principal working alongside Mrs. Chelsea Doggett (TES) and Brad Elam (TMS).
“I am very excited to be returning to Thomasville Elementary School, the place where it all started for me in this district. My mom, Marie Marshall, also worked at Thomasville Elementary School, until she retired after 25 years of service. This place is special to me in so many ways. I give all glory to God for this wonderful opportunity of leadership.”
“I am a wife and mother of two children,” she said. “My husband is Rocky Washington Sr., who is an employee of Georgia Pacific in Pennington, Ala. Our oldest son is Rocky Jr. He is a former graduate of Thomasville High School (Class of 2021). He currently attends The University of South Alabama, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
“Our youngest son Ryan will be an upcoming sophomore at Thomasville High School. He is a member of the THS varsity football team.
“There are many family and close friends that have made a tremendous impact in my life,” Washington said. “They are always encouraging and supportive. They continue to push me to my fullest potential.
“I am looking forward to new beginnings and forever memories with the TES staff and the community of Thomasville. ‘Once A Tiger, Always A Tiger.’
In other action from the May 21 school board meeting, the financial report for April 2024 was reported by Anjelica Gibson, the Chief School Financial Officer. Accounts payable totaled $351,407.33, and payroll totaled $938,565.60.
• The school board approved the Summer School Learning Programs at all three campuses, which will run from June 3 to 26.
• Revisions to the salary schedule were also approved.
• The date of the June school board meeting will be changed to 5 p.m. on June 10 in the THS library. The public is invited.