February 3, 2025
By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS AND BARTON HENLEY
Rutherford County Schools
After saying goodbye to their old students and schools, Jason Eaton and Dr. Amy Perry began this week in new locations.
As the new principal of Poplar Hill Elementary, Eaton will work from Rutherford County Schools’ Central Office until the school opens in August. Perry, formerly assistant principal at Homer Pittard Campus School, succeeds Eaton as principal of Smyrna Primary School.
Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan appointed them to their new roles in November.
Campus School and Smyrna Primary held farewell celebrations in recent days. Smyrna Primary hosted a town hall for parents and students to get to know Perry and learn more about Eaton’s new school.
Poplar Hill Elementary School is under construction in the Blackman community along Baker Road. When school begins in August, the campus will serve students from Brown’s Chapel, Stewarts Creek and Stewartsboro elementary schools.
Opening a brand-new school, Eaton said, is “a principal’s dream.”
“There are many, many things that I have loved about (Smyrna Primary), but my favorite is we were able to put our school out there for others to see all the amazing things we do,” Eaton said, while highlighting SPS’ Ion Showcase of Learning held each nine weeks as a way for parents and community partners a chance to visit the school regularly.
“It’s also what makes it hard to leave,” he added.
Campus School’s True Blue Friday Celebration included a special time to honor Perry and her work over the past four years.
At Smyrna Primary’s town hall, Perry emphasized a desire to continue school traditions and partnerships.
“I’m all about the community coming together and working together for this to be the best place imaginable for our kids,” she said.
Angeline Hale remains as assistant principal at Smyrna Primary and Tara Klarer is the new assistant principal at Campus School.