Veteran Hamilton County principal Rodney Thompson is joining a string of veteran county administrators who have crossed the line to Georgia.
Mr. Thompson has accepted a position as principal of the Tiger Creek Elementary School in Catoosa County.
Mr. Thompson, who put in 34 years in Hamilton County, long headed McBrien Elementary in East Ridge. He was principal for the past four years at Barger Elementary in Brainerd, where he was credited with leading a resurgence of that school.
Mr. Thompson told David Carroll of Channel 3 that financial considerations played a large role in his decision, but another factor was the current budget crisis facing Tennessee and Hamilton County.
A replacement has not yet been named at Barger.
Betty Williams will replace Lamont Vaughn as principal at Orchard Knob Elementary School. She was previously principal at Donaldson, Hardy and Garber elementary schools.