News Summary
Knox County Schools in Tennessee has announced new principal appointments effective July 2025, including leadership changes at several high and elementary schools. Kendedrick Jones becomes the principal of Fulton High School, while Rocky Riley is appointed at South-Doyle High School. New elementary school principals include Sherrie Fairchild-Keyes at South Knox Elementary, Rolen Blaine at New Hopewell Elementary, and Sarah Fish at Dogwood Elementary. These changes aim to strengthen educational leadership across the district.
Knoxville, TN – Knox County Schools has announced several new principal appointments effective July 2025, including two high school principals and three elementary school principals. This restructuring comes as part of the district’s ongoing efforts to enhance educational leadership across its schools.
Kendedrick Jones will take over as principal of Fulton High School, where he has been serving as interim principal. Jones joined Knox County Schools in 2024 as an assistant principal at Fulton High. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles in Mississippi schools and as director of residence life and upper school principal at The King’s Academy in Seymour, TN. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and secondary science education from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Louisiana State University. Fulton High School offers a Freshman Academy and specialized programs including the Academy of Communications, Academy of Health and Human Services, and Academy of Public Service.
Rocky Riley has been appointed principal of South-Doyle High School, filling the position previously held by Dr. Brad Carr, who has been reassigned as the executive director of special education. Riley has been with Knox County Schools since 2001, moving through various roles including Teacher and Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum supervisor, before transitioning into administration as an assistant principal in 2016. He has served as principal of Bonny Kate Elementary School since 2023. South-Doyle High School features the 865 Academy of Business and Health Science and an Academy of Engineering and Fabrication, along with a Freshman Academy. Riley holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource development and a master’s degree in education from Lincoln Memorial University.
Turning to the elementary level, Sherrie Fairchild-Keyes has been appointed principal of South Knox Elementary School, succeeding Tanna Nicely who retired. Fairchild-Keyes began her educational career in 1997, accumulating experience in schools across Tennessee and Florida. She has previously served as principal of Willow Brook Elementary School and is currently a senior specialist at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). Sherrie Fairchild-Keyes possesses a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Tennessee Tech, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and a doctorate in education from the University of Tennessee.
Rolen Blaine has been appointed principal of New Hopewell Elementary School, replacing Sarah Mercer who has been reassigned to Pond Gap Elementary School. Blaine began his career with Knox County Schools in 2013, advancing to administration in 2020, and most recently served as the assistant principal at Fountain City Elementary since 2022. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in instructional leadership, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies.
Lastly, the new principal of Dogwood Elementary School is Sarah Fish, who fills the role previously held by Lana Shelton-Lowe. Fish joined Knox County Schools in 2024 as the principal of Hardin Valley Elementary and has extensive experience in educational leadership in Virginia, Florida, and Oregon. She holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in early childhood and special education from George Mason University, and an educational specialist degree in administration and supervision from the University of Virginia.
Additional principal appointments for various elementary schools within the district, including Norwood, Corryton, Hardin Valley, Pond Gap, Carter, and Sunnyview Primary, are forthcoming. Knox County Schools continues to focus on enhancing educational leadership to support its mission of providing a quality education to all students.
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Additional Resources
- WATE: Christian Academy of Knoxville Names New Principal
- Wikipedia: Knox County, Tennessee
- Knox News: Halls High School History 1916 to 2024
- Google Search: Education in Knoxville
- Knox News: KCS Superintendent on His Vision
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Knoxville, Tennessee
- WBIR: Several Knox County Schools Principals Retiring
- Google News: Knox County Schools
