TIFTON — The Tift County Board of Education voted to approve new principals for Len Lastinger Elementary School and Matt Wilson Elementary School at the July 9 meeting.

Patsy Shivers will take over from Richard Fisher as principal at Len Lastinger and Jennifer Howell will take over from Jason Clark as principal of Matt Wilson.

The board also approved hiring Dr. Shereca Harvey as the middle grades curriculum director.

The board decided to have the meeting to set the millage rate on July 22 at 6 p.m.

Director of Operations Robbie Dasher informed the board that the classroom improvements at Eighth Street Middle School are approximately 75 percent done and the security upgrades for each school are continuing to move forward. Dasher said he anticipates all of the work being completed before school starts back on Aug. 5.

Superintendent Adam Hathaway recognized the board for obtaining Exemplary status by the Georgia School Boards Association for last year’s work.

Hathaway congratulated the board for being recognized for “all the hard work done on behalf of the children, faculty and staff.”