By KATIE MCDOWELL / Lifestyles Editor

The Shelby County Board of Education named Brent Byars the new principal of Creek View Elementary School in one of several administrative changes approved by the board during a Nov. 17 meeting.

Byars has served as the assistant principal of Helena Elementary School since 2009, and taught at Thompson Intermediate School and Helena Middle School prior that. He also coached at Thompson Middle School and Thompson High School.

Thompson received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Montevallo. He is currently working on an Ed.S. degree from UM that he expects to complete this summer.

Byars thanked his family and co-workers during the meeting and said he was looking forward to the new position.

“I’m going to work hard every day and do my best to make sure Creek View Elementary School is the best elementary school it can be,” he said.

The board also approved several other staffing changes to the central office and local schools during the Nov. 17 meeting.

• Jennifer Cleere was approved as the Helena Middle School assistant principal. Cleere has more than 10 years experience as an educator and has served as the gifted education lead teacher for the Shelby County School System since 2009.
•  Leah Anne Lowe was approved as the supervisor of school improvement strategic planning and leadership development. Lowe has served in the Shelby County School System for more than 20 years in several capacities, including a teacher and assistant principal at Chelsea Elementary School, assistant principal and principal at Elvin Hill Elementary School and, most recently, the federal programs supervisor. She is currently enrolled in Samford University’s doctoral program.
• Michelle Hall was approved as the Middle School/Secondary Program Specialist. Hall has more than 17 years in education and was most recently a reading teacher at Thompson Sixth Grade Center.