Principal Named For New Vestavia Elementary School

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL - A new elementary school set to open in Vestavia Hills in 2019 has named its first principal. Although new to the school, the principal is not a new addition to the school system. Ty Arendall, currently the principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park, will take the lead post at the new school expected to be housed at what is currently Gresham Elementary School, pending federal court approval of the school’s sale by the Jefferson County Board of Education.

Arendall has served as principal of Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park since 2012. In an email to parents today, Arendall said he will remain at VHELP as principal through the 2018-19 academic year.
“This appointment is being made now in order for me to be involved from the beginning in the planning for the new school,” Arendall said in his email. “That planning role will be in addition to my duties as the principal here at VHELP, where my first priority will continue to be leading this school alongside the incredible staff that we have assembled.”

Arendall has worked in Vestavia Hills since 2009, first as an assistant principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights before becoming the school’s principal in 2010. Arendall has accumulated 20 years of teaching and administrative experience in the Vestavia Hills, Shelby County and Homewood school systems. He earned a doctorate of education in 2017 from Samford University.

“Leading the creation of a new school will be a challenging task, and the Board and I and are delighted that Dr. Arendall has agreed to take on that role,” said Interim Superintendent Charles Mason.

Photo from Vestavia Hills Schools