Thursday evening the Decatur County Board of Education approved three administrative position recommendations.

Effective Friday, Feb. 13, Jamie Ard is principal at West Bainbridge Elementary School, Kaycee Wade is assistant principal at John Johnson Elementary School and Marilyn Melton is PLC director at Bainbridge High School.

The approval of recommendations came after an almost-40-minute executive session by the board.

“The students, parents and staff have all been wonderful to work with through these first several months on the job as interim principal,” Ard said. “Everyone has made me feel right at home here, and I would have been devastated had the decision gone another way. I am grateful beyond description to the Decatur County Board of Education for having the confidence in me to afford me this opportunity.”

About 20 West Bainbridge Elementary teachers attended the meeting and stayed through the executive session in support of Ard.

The boardroom filled with cheers and applause after Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield clarified that the approved recommendations included Ard as principal.

“The outpouring of support from the teachers and staff at the meeting meant the world to me,” Ard said. “School administrators can make an impact only if those that they are supposed to lead support and respect them.”