EAST SPENCER — The leader of Mt. Ulla Elementary School is heading to China Grove.
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education voted Monday to make Lea Anne Thomas the new principal of China Grove Elementary.
Thomas will replace Jenny White, who will head to Hickory City Schools to work under Superintendent Dr. Walter Hart, the former assistant superintend of administration for Rowan-Salisbury.
Thomas has been the principal of Mt. Ulla since July 2003. She served as the principal of North Rowan Elementary three years prior to that and worked as an assistant principal of North Rowan High from 1998 to 2000.
As a resident of China Grove, Thomas wanted to move to the elementary school to work closer to home and serve her community.
“I have received the most recent NC School Report Card for China Grove Elementary and see that the school is stronger in math than reading,” she wrote in her cover letter. “One of the first tasks I would try to accomplish is to determine areas of weakness in reading instruction and work with our staff members to systematically make changes.”
After looking at the data from Mt. Ulla and China Grove, Thomas wrote she sees similarities that will allow her to easily make the transition.
Thomas wrote her strengths include good communication, fostering positive relationships with parents and effectively navigating change.
She will take over at China Grove effective Jan. 1.
Larry Britt, the former principal of Mt. Ulla, will serve as the interim principal at the school until Thomas’ replacement is hired.
The principal position at Mt. Ulla will be advertised today. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 7.