Marion County Board of Education personnel changes approved on Oct. 17

HAMILTON — Among the regular business agenda items handled by the Marion County Board of Education at its Friday, Oct. 17, board meeting was the presentation of the annual Title 1 Schools’ Comprehensive Improvement Plan.
Regarding the presentations, Marion County Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sutton noted, “Our elementary principals presented their school improvement plans and did an outstanding job.
“We have seen steady progress in academic achievement, and leadership is certainly a key to that success. I appreciate the hard work they do, and our future is bright.”
The following personnel issues were also addressed by the board:
• Alexis Bryant was approved as a volunteer coach at Brilliant High School;
• Matthew Stults was approved as a volunteer coach at Phillips High School;
• Kent Hallman was approved as a volunteer coach at Phillips High School;
• Ashley Cochran was approved as a volunteer coach at Hamilton High School;
• Jill Sandlin was approved as a volunteer at Hamilton Elementary School; and
• Courtney Robinson was approved as a volunteer at Hamilton Elementary School.
The only resignation listed was Hamilton schools bus driver Margaret Holcomb, who resigned effective May 22, 2026, with an official retirement date of June 1, 2026.
New employment positions approved for the 2025-2026 school year included:
• Donna King as a probationary principal at Phillips High School, with a contract to run from Oct. 6, 2025, through June 30, 2026;
• Jennifer Russell as a part-time interventionist at Phillips Elementary School, effective Oct. 13;
• Tami Harris as a seven-hour worker at the Phillips High lunchroom, effective Oct. 1; and
• Doug Martin as a bus driver for Hamilton schools, effective Oct. 6.
The only posting was for an assistant principal for Hamilton High School.