Mary Ann Crowder, assistant principal and librarian with Kenbridge Elementary School, was recently appointed as principal of Lunenburg Middle School.

Stacey Newton, who served as fifth-grade teacher at Kenbridge Elementary School, will be the assistant principal.

These appointments came following the resignation of Central High School Principal John Long and the appointment of Lunenburg Middle School Principal Dr. Sharon Stanislas as principal of Central High School June 11.

Crowder, in a statement Tuesday, said her goal as principal will be to ecourage students to reach their full potential.

“I am excited to be afforded the opportunity to lead Lunenburg Middle School,” Crowder said. “We have a terrific network of educators in Lunenburg County, and I am proud to be a part of this network. With Mrs. Stacey Newton, my assistant principal, and the dedicated staff at LMS, I will continue to build on the solid foundation Dr. Stanislas has left.

Newton, in a statement Tuesday, said she looks forward to using her experience in education to instill positive lessons to the students.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work at Lunenburg Middle School in the role of Assistant Principal,” Newton said. “I have worked at Kenbridge Elementary School for the past 28 years and gained much experience, having served in various leadership roles during my tenure there. I have also been actively involved in the community, which has enabled me to work with a variety of agencies and meet many families. I hope that my background, experiences and my love for Lunenburg County will help me to be a positive role model—one who will help the students at Lunenburg Middle School reach their educational potential and become responsible citizens.”

Stanislas and Division Superintendent Charles Berkley confirmed the appointments.

Long will work for the Virginia Department of Corrections, serving as principal of the school at the Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake.

In a statement, Long said he is grateful to the division for the opportunities to serve.

“The nine years that I have spent as an administrator for Lunenburg County Public Schools have been some of the most rewarding years in my career,” Long said. “The memories and experiences that I have had working in Lunenburg I will always hold dear. I am forever grateful for the opportunities that the school board and Mr. Berkley have afforded me over the years.”

Long has been principal of Central High School for three years. Previously, he served as principal of Kenbridge Elementary School and assistant principal of Lunenburg Middle School.

“The decision not to return for the 2018-19 school year was a difficult choice because the people in Lunenburg County are fantastic,” Long said.

Dr. Stanislas, in a statement, said she was excited for the appointment, and she will be following the middle school’s eighth grade class to the high school in the fall.

“I am always eager to embark upon new challenges,” Stanislas said, who served as a school counselor for Central High School for nine years. “I am, therefore, looking forward to returning to Central High School as the principal.”

She said she was grateful to the middle school staff and faculty, and said Crowder and Newton will carry the positions well.

“While I am excited to be returning to the school where I got my start in Lunenburg County 12 years ago, I am sad to leave behind the faculty, staff, and students of Lunenburg Middle School,” Stanislas said. “It has truly been an honor and an awesome experience to work with such a dedicated and cooperative group of people … I am very confident that my successor, Mrs. Mary A. Crowder and her assistant, Mrs. Stacey Newton, will continue to make a good school a great school.”