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Gardner tapped as South Putnam MS/HS principal
With Levi Yowell to leave South Putnam at the end of the year, a veteran educator and administrator will succeed him at South Putnam Middle/High School.
The South Putnam School Board officially approved Tona Gardner as the building’s new principal at its regular meeting Wednesday evening.
Gardner will come over from her current role as associate principal. She has otherwise held positions at South Putnam related to classroom curricula, media and technology integration, apart from her teaching and leading extracurriculars.
“She has served South Putnam with loyalty and diligence for the last 22 years in various building and district roles,” Supt. Corey Smith noted in remarks, describing Gardner as a “servant-driven leader” focused on goal- and data-based initiatives.
“She’s never ceased to amaze me with her insight and perspective on all things education, not to mention her relentless, tireless pursuit of excellence,” Smith added. “We’re excited to have you step into this new role.”
Smith also briefly addressed Gardner not being approved at the board’s special meeting held on Dec. 2, saying this was delayed due a need to “seek answers” from counsel.
Gardner in turn thanked Smith and the board for the opportunity, as well as recognized Yowell for his leadership and encouragement to staff to give their “one more.”
But it was her pulse on the dedication of the staff, many of which were in attendance, which she got slightly emotional about.
“You are amazing people, and I am so excited about what we’re going to do together,” Gardner said, referencing ongoing renovations and a commitment to strengthening partnerships and adding educational opportunities.
“This is an exciting time at South Putnam,” Gardner synthesized. “And we get to do this at a caring community school. It is a great time to be an Eagle.”