Johns Creek High School Principal To Retire

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- Students, faculty and staff at Johns Creek High School will be greeted with a new principal when the second semester of the 2017-18 school year rolls around in January. That's because Dr. Jimmy Zoll will be leaving the school to become an assistant professor at the University of North Georgia, "working with aspiring leaders who want to become administrators," Fulton County School System spokesperson Susan Hale said.

His last day with the Gladiators will be Dec. 21, and Hale said a substitute principal will be named in the next few weeks with that person "taking the helm when students return from winter break." The school system will distribute a survey to the community to gain input on its desired leadership qualities and after those results are compiled, two focus groups will come together to provide more insight.

Feedback and information gained from small teacher and parent focus groups will be compiled to create a comprehensive school profile, which will outline the unique characteristics of the school and highlight the most important leadership skills that a future principal will need to be successful.

The information in the profile will guide the selection of the most qualified candidates to proceed to a school level interview. Candidates will be interviewed on the competencies identified as the most critical to meet the unique needs of Johns Creek High School.

"The goal is to name a new leader before the end of the school year, but that could change depending on the candidates themselves and their availability," she added.

Fulton Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Rose said it's "hard losing great leaders" like Zoll, who has served 34 years with the system.

It is hard losing great leaders like you. We will work to honor you and your legacy Principal Zoll. And- you are not gone yet https://t.co/zjL4OGOs4l
— Jeff Rose (@JeffRoseSupt) November" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/JeffRoseSu... 9, 2017

Before coming to Johns Creek, Zoll served as principal at Wilson Creek, State Bridge Crossing and Brookview elementary schools. He was also assistant principal at College Park Elementary and taught at Crabapple Crossing Elementary and Crabapple Middle schools.

In 2008, he received the Distinguished Principal Award from the Georgia Association of Elementary Principals. Zoll holds an associate's degree from Young Harris College, a bachelor's degree in social science education from the University of Georgia, and a master's degree in social science education from Georgia State University. He also earned a specialist's degree in educational leadership from the University of West Georgia and a doctorate in philosophy from Mercer University.

Image via Fulton County Schools