Coile Middle School Interim Principal April Braswell and Clarke Middle School Interim Principal Derrick Maxwell will become the full-time principals of their respective schools, effective immediately. The Clarke County School District announced this change in a March 17 press release after several rounds of evaluation of both candidates. “Both of these leaders have a great familiarity with CCSD and our community, and I look forward to them continuing to contribute their talents toward our aim of ensuring all students are in a position to achieve academic success,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie P. Hooker stated in a March 17 CCSD press release. Graphic by Lea D’Angelo
On March 17, the CCSD announced that two interim middle school principals will become full-time, effective immediately.
Derrick Maxwell and April Braswell were announced as principals of their respective middle schools in a Clarke County School District press release on March 17.
Maxwell and Braswell have served as interim principals at Clarke Middle School and Coile Middle School respectively since July 2024. The CCSD Board of Education received input from both school’s families and governance teams before the BOE gave approval at its March 13 meeting, the change effective immediately.
“Mr. Maxwell and Ms. Braswell are both outstanding educators who have provided steady leadership during transition periods at their schools this school year and have helped mold a positive school culture that is welcoming to students, staff, and families,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie P. Hooker stated in the press release.
A timeline of Coile Middle School Principal April Braswell and Clarke Middle School Principal Derrick Maxwell’s previous positions is shown above. Braswell and Maxwell served as the interim principals at Coile Middle School and Clarke Middle School respectively, until the Clarke County School District Board of Education announced they would be appointed as full-time principals on March 13. “Serving as the interim principal this year has been an amazing experience, and I have truly enjoyed working with the students, staff, and families who make Coile a great place. I am excited to continue leading and growing this wonderful school community,” Braswell stated in a March 17 CCSD press release. Graphic by Peter Atchley
Both Maxwell and Braswell are in their 23rd year of education and had to pass through several rounds of application, including candidate interviews, before the promotion could happen. Before Maxwell’s time at Clarke Middle, he taught multiple grade levels, most recently at Winder-Barrow High School, experiences that gave him a holistic look at education.
“I am beyond excited and deeply honored to be chosen as the principal of Clarke Middle School, and I look forward to continuing the outstanding work alongside our wonderful staff. Clarke Middle School is not only a beautiful building, but also a truly special community,” Maxwell stated in the press release.
“Mr. Maxwell and Ms. Braswell are both outstanding educators who have provided steady leadership during transition periods at their schools this school year and have helped mold a positive school culture.”
— Dr. Robbie P. Hooker,
CCSD Superintendant
Braswell began her career at Cedar Shoals High School before leaving the CCSD to teach in the Walton County School District in 2004. She came back to the CCSD in 2015 as an assistant principal at Coile and became interim principal at the start of the 2024-25 school year. According to Braswell, serving as Coile’s interim principal has been an impactful experience for her.
“My goal is to make Coile the school where parents are eager to send their children, where educators feel valued and inspired to work, and where students know they are loved, challenged, and supported daily,” Braswell stated in the press release.
