Loudon schools make changes

A third of Loudon County schools will have new administrators next academic year.

Students will return in the fall to new principals at Eaton Elementary, the Greenback School and North Middle.

"I certainly understand that change is hard," Jason Vance, director of schools, said Tuesday.

He added that he'd put a lot of time and effort into the decisions.

"I want to make sure we have an appropriate team in place to help children move forward in all aspects of the school curriculum," Vance said. "I want nothing but the best success for each child at all of our schools."

The district has nine schools.

Eaton Principal Jennifer Malone will be an instructional supervisor in the central office, Vance said. Assistant Principal Melanie Amburn will become the new chief.

Joey Breedlove and Tim Berry, former principals at Greenback and North Middle, respectively, will return to the classroom.

Breedlove will teach math at Fort Loudoun Middle. Berry, who was North Middle principal for five years, will teach science at Loudon High School. Vance plans to announce their replacements this month.

Berry's move has upset North Middle parents who see the change as a demotion. They said they haven't been given a reason for it. Several had a meeting with Vance on Monday to try and get some answers.

"The parents think (Berry's) the best thing that has ever happened to that school," said Amy Hinton, mother of a North Middle fifth- and eighth-grader. "He's improved so many areas at the school. We can't see anything that he's done wrong."

Asked about the change in Berry's status, Vance said, "I just felt that based on my observations, it would be appropriate to make a change at this point and time."