Liberty Park Elementary Names New Principal

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL - Liberty Park Elementary School will have a new principal for the 2019-2020 school year, but describing the school's new leader as "new" is somewhat misleading. Abbie Freeman, the school's assistant principal, will take over the role of principal after the Vestavia Hills Board of Education approved the appointment this week.

Freeman will transition to the principal’s office this summer when current VHELP principal, Dr. Ty Arendall, moves into the same position at Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge.

Freeman has been an educator for 19 years and served as assistant principal at VHELP during the 2018-19 school year. Prior to arriving in Vestavia Hills, Freeman spent two years working as principal of Ocean Studies Charter School in south Florida, and four years as principal of Hall-Kent Elementary School in Homewood.

A National Board Certified Teacher, Freeman holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Jacksonville State University and a master’s degree in instructional leadership from Samford University.

“Our students are performing so well, and we’re going to continue to look for opportunities for them to exceed expectations in mastery and leadership,” Freeman said.

Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Freeman said Monday that Abbie Freeman was selected for her instructional expertise and leadership.

“Ms. Freeman has done an outstanding job as an assistant principal and is clearly student-focused. I look forward to seeing VHELP grow under her leadership,” he said.