Brooks to retire after
32-year career in education

A Carrollton High School alum has been named his alma mater's next principal following unanimous approval by the Carrollton Board of Education Thursday night.

Ian Lyle, assistant principal at CHS and director of the school's CTAE program, will succeed CHS Principal David Brooks who is retiring this June following a 32-year career in education, 24 serving Carrollton High School.

Lyle has served in his current role since 2017 and quickly established himself as a natural leader, said Dr. Mark Albertus, superintendent, who made the recommendation to the board. 

“Mr. Lyle has great judgment and gets things done," said Albertus. "As someone who grew up in the district, he understands our culture because he's lived it. Thanks to Mr. Brooks taking the time to mentor him, Mr. Lyle will be able to pick right up and lead this school from day one.”

Lyle, a member of the CHS Class of 2003, completed a bachelor's degree in history education at the University of West Georgia where he continued his prep football career as a four-year collegiate letterman. He then earned a master's in curriculum and instruction at Georgia Southern University before returning to UWG to earn two more certifications, a specialist degree in leadership, and is now in the process of completing a doctoral program in school improvement.

Lyle's work experience prior to returning to Carrollton spanned the gamut, beginning with serving as a direct-care teacher at KidsPeace in Bowdon, teaching social studies at Mt. Zion Middle School, and first teaching for – then chairing –the special education department at Mt. Zion High School. He also coached a variety of sports, from baseball to boys and girls soccer to football and served as assistant athletic director at MZHS.

In addition to his day-to-day administrative duties at CHS, Lyle has further honed his leadership skills through the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy, the state Department of Education Career, Technical, Agricultural Education (CTAE) Director's Academy, and the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement’s Aspiring Leaders Program. Lyle also currently co-chairs the chamber’s Workforce Development Committee.

“To be selected to lead Carrollton High School is an incredible honor,” said Lyle.  “CHS is my home. While much has changed since I was a student, one thing hasn't – our commitment to excellence and what it means to set the gold standard. I am humbled – but grateful – Dr. Albertus and the board have confidence in me and for giving me this opportunity to serve the school system that has given so much to me.”

Lyle is married to CHS classmate and high school sweetheart, the former Brandi Nunis, who is a special education teacher at Carrollton Elementary School. They have a daughter, Charlie, in second grade, and son Reid, a kindergartner. Both attend CES. The family resides in Carrollton and attends Southern Hills: The Church at City Station.

CHS has strong legacy in prestigious program

Carrollton High School sophomore Walker Camp will be headed to Berry College in Rome this summer to participate in the prestigious Governor’s Honors program.

The Governor’s Honors Program, known as GHP, is a four-week residential summer enrichment program, to be held this year June 20 through July 17, for gifted and talented rising high school juniors and seniors.  Students who attend public, private, and home schools are eligible for nomination in one of 20 subject areas.

Walker will compete in science, a subject that he says comes easy to him. He also plays alto saxophone in the Trojan Band and is a Boy Scout in Troop #138. He noted the week of his Governor’s Honors state interview, he also earned his Eagle Scout designation. He is the son of Andy and Molly Camp.

Carrollton High School has a strong legacy of producing GHP finalists. Three CHS students were selected for the program in 2012 and 2013, four in 2014, one in 2015, four in 2016, five in 2017, two in 2018, and one in 2019. No finalists were named in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHS number exceeds all other
schools in state, public and private

Seventeen Carrollton High School seniors who will graduate in May have met the criteria to be recognized as Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education, joining an elite group of students statewide. The final list of named scholars will be announced later in May.

Carrollton High School, by far, has more qualifiers than any other high school in the state. Behind Carrollton is Henry W. Grady High School in Atlanta and Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County with 12 each.

Through the Georgia Scholar program, the state DOE identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. Students eligible for Georgia Scholar recognition are high school seniors who exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, in community activities, and in the home. 

According to DOE guidelines, Georgia Scholars are students who have carried exemplary course loads during their four years of high school; who performed excellently in all courses; who successfully participated in interscholastic events at their schools and in their communities; and who have assumed active roles in extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools. Each Georgia Scholar receives a seal for his or her diploma.

The CHS Class of 2021 qualifiers are Kate Albertus, Andrew Bell, Natalie Davis, Dale Drummond, Jackson Cole Fendley, Caroline Fjeran, Julianne Heine, Peter Ivester, Carley Jennings, Collin Jones, Justin Jones, McKenzie Lloyd, Abigail Moseley, Austin Schumann, Gregory Steven Slappey,  Mason Tribble and Betsy Tuggle. All 17 are top academic students who are involved in all facets of the high school experience, including student leadership, athletics and artistic endeavors that include band and visual arts. 

“The Georgia Scholars program fits perfectly with Carrollton High School’s mission of offering a broad range of opportunities for our students – from academics to athletics to the arts – to ensure our graduates are well-rounded and ready for the next phase of life,” said David Brooks, CHS principal. “These students certainly exemplify our top tier and are exceptional examples of our commitment to the Three A’s. I am confident they all will achieve this elite recognition and I’m extremely proud of them.”

The program is coordinated by GaDOE’s Excellence Recognition office and through local coordinators in each public school system and private schools throughout the state.