AMERICUS — The Furlow Charter School board of directors announced the selection of a new interim principal, Valerie Duff, who will begin her appointment on Jan. 19 and serve through the remainder of the 2015-16 school year.
Duff is a retired educator with 30 years of service with the Sumter County School System. She holds a bachelor of science  and master’s degree in early childhood education and a specialist degree in school leadership and administration. Following 12 years of service as a classroom instructor for Cherokee Elementary School, she was promoted to assistant principal and held that position for six years prior to promotion to the role of principal at Sumter County Primary School. Under her leadership, the school was recognized as a Title 1 Distinguished School for the school years 1999-2011, and was recognized for the greatest gains in academic achievement in the state on several occasions. She has served on advisory boards for the School of Education at Georgia Southwestern State University as well as South Georgia Technical College and, since retirement, has supervised student teachers for Troy University.
Duff will be replacing the previous principal, Emmanuel Vincent, Ed. D., who was relieved of his duties by the board at the January Furlow Charter School board meeting.
The FCS community is grateful for the contributions made by Vincent during his tenure.