The Clarke County School District is moving forward with several leadership changes designed to strengthen academic programs and expand support for students and families. Three leadership appointments made by Superintendent Jennifer Scott received approval from the Clarke County Board of Education during its Thursday, Aug. 13 meeting, according to information released by the district.
The appointments come as the district restructures part of its central administration. The former Academic and Student Support Division has been divided into two separate divisions, creating more focused leadership for academics and student and family services. Kena Worthy has been named assistant superintendent of student and family support, Donna Elder will serve as assistant superintendent of academics, and Jami Washington has been appointed director of federal programs.
CCSD Restructures Academic and Student Support Leadership
Separating the former Academic and Student Support Division represents an important organizational change for the Clarke County School District. Academic instruction and student support services involve different responsibilities, challenges, and priorities, and the new structure gives each area dedicated leadership.
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Donna Elder will lead the district’s academic work, while Kena Worthy will oversee services supporting students and families. The change allows administrators to concentrate more closely on their respective areas while continuing to collaborate across the district.
The restructuring could also help CCSD coordinate resources more effectively. Academic achievement depends on quality instruction, but students also need access to counseling, health services, es and emotional support. Dedicated leadership in both areas can help the district address these needs while maintaining a broader focus on student success.
Donna Elder Named Assistant Superintendent of Academics
Donna Elder brings extensive experience within Clarke County schools to her new position as assistant superintendent of academics. She has worked for the Clarke County School District since 2001 and has served students and educators in several different roles.
Elder began her CCSD career as a special education teacher at Barnett Shoals Elementary School. Her experience in the classroom provided direct knowledge of student needs, instructional challenges, and the importance of creating learning environments where students with different abilities can succeed.
She later moved into school leadership and most recently served as principal of Winterville Elementary School. Her years as an educator and administrator give her experience with both classroom instruction and broader school management.
As assistant superintendent of academics, Elder will focus on improving teaching practices and strengthening academic programs across Clarke County. Her responsibilities place her in a key position to influence instructional quality and help schools create meaningful learning opportunities.
In the district’s announcement, Elder said she was honored to continue serving Clarke County’s students, families,s and educators. She emphasized building on existing progress, improving teaching and learning, supporting academic excellence, and creating opportunities for students to thrive.
Academic Leadership Focuses on Student Achievement
Elder’s appointment places academic improvement at the center of her responsibilities. Strong academic leadership can help ensure teachers receive appropriate resources, schools follow effective instructional practices,s and students have access to programs that meet their educational needs.
The role also requires collaboration. District-level academic leaders work with principals teacherse, teachers, and other administrators to identify areas needing improvement and develop strategies that can be implemented across multiple schools.
Elder’s long history with CCSD may prove valuable as she begins the position. Having worked as both a teacher and principal, she understands the district from different perspectives. That experience could help her connect central-office goals with the everyday realities faced by teachers and school administrators.
Kena Worthy Takes Charge of Student and Family Support
Kena Worthy has been selected as CCSD’s new assistant superintendent of student and family support. Her division will oversee several services that play an essential role in student well-being, including school counseling, psychology, nursing, ing and other social-emotional support programs.
Worthy has an even longer history with the district, beginning her CCSD career in 1997. She spent 16 years teaching before transitioning into administrative leadership.
Her classroom background provides firsthand experience with the challenges students can face beyond academics. Health concerns, emotional difficulties, family circumstances, and social pressures can all affect a student’s ability to learn. Support services help schools respond to those challenges and connect students with appropriate resources.
In her new position, Worthy plans to expand the division’s reach by strengthening professional knowledge, increasing collaboration with other CCSD divisions,s and developing partnerships throughout the community.
Worthy said she was excited to continue serving the school district and expressed enthusiasm about expanding the division’s impact. She highlighted collaboration and community partnerships as important ways to elevate support for students and families.
Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
The creation of a dedicated Student and Family Support Division reflects the broad responsibilities modern school districts face. Schools are responsible for education, but successful learning often requires attention to students’ physical, emotional, and social needs.
School counselors can help students handle academic and personal challenges, while psychologists provide specialized support for behavioral and emotional concerns. School nurses address health-related needs, and other student-support professionals can connect families with resources inside and outside the school system.
Having an assistant superintendent focused specifically on these services may help CCSD improve coordination between programs. Worthy’s emphasis on partnerships could also strengthen connections between schools, families,s and community organizations.
Better coordination can make it easier for students to receive assistance when they need it. It can also help educators understand the resources available and direct families toward appropriate services.
Jami Washington Appointed Director of Federal Programs
The Board of Education also approved Jami Washington as the district’s new director of federal programs. Washington brings approximately 20 years of experience in education, including 13 years working within the Clarke County School District.
She began her CCSD career as a kindergarten teacher at Fowler Drive Elementary School. Washington later moved into positions involving school development and community engagement, broadening her experience beyond classroom instruction.
Her new role places her in an important area of district administration. Federal programs can provide resources supporting schools, students, and educational initiatives. Effective management requires careful planning, coordination,n and attention to program requirements.
Washington’s combination of classroom, development and community-engagement experience gives her a broad perspective as she takes on the position.
Experienced Leaders Bring Institutional Knowledge
One notable element connecting all three appointments is experience. Elder, Worthy and Washington have each spent significant portions of their careers working within the Clarke County School District.
That institutional knowledge can be valuable during leadership transitions. Experienced district employees understand local schools, communities, staff structures, and many of the challenges facing students. They also have established relationships that may help improve communication across departments.
Promoting experienced educators into district leadership positions can provide continuity while creating opportunities for organizational change. In CCSD’s case, the appointments accompany a restructuring that gives academics and student support their own dedicated divisions.
The leaders will now have the responsibility of turning that organizational structure into practical improvements for schools.
Collaboration Will Be Essential
Although academics and student support are now housed in separate divisions, the two areas remain closely connected. Students who feel supported socially, emotionally, and physically may be better positioned to participate in classroom learning. Likewise, effective academic programs can contribute to student confidence, engagement,t and long-term success.
Collaboration between Elder’s and Worthy’s divisions will therefore remain important. Washington’s work with federal programs may also intersect with both areas by helping coordinate resources for initiatives supporting students, teachers and schools.
Superintendent Jennifer Scott’s appointments create a leadership team with extensive CCSD experience and backgrounds spanning teaching, school administration, community engagement and student services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approved the new Clarke County district leaders?
The Clarke County Board of Education approved the three new leadership appointments.
Who is the new Assistant Superintendent of Academics?
Donna Elder has been appointed as the district’s new Assistant Superintendent of Academics.
What will Donna Elder oversee?
She will focus on improving teaching practices, academic programs, and student learning across the district.
What is Kena Worthy’s new position?
Kena Worthy will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Student and Family Support.
What services will Kena Worthy oversee?
She will oversee counseling, psychology, nursing, and other social-emotional student support services.
Who is the new Director of Federal Programs?
Jami Washington has been appointed as the Clarke County School District’s Director of Federal Programs.
Why did CCSD restructure its leadership divisions?
The restructuring provides dedicated leadership for academics and student-family services, allowing greater focus on each area.
Conclusion
The Clarke County Board of Education’s approval of three new district leaders represents an important step in strengthening academic achievement and student support. Donna Elder, Kena Worthy, and Jami Washington bring extensive educational experience and valuable knowledge of the Clarke County School District to their new positions.
