Andrews – Andrews Elementary School Principal Melissa Godfrey, a former Cherokee County Principal of the Year, will be bringing her talents to Clay County as Hayesville Elementary School’s principal.
She will continue to serve as principal of Andrews Elementary through the remainder of this school year before starting her position in Hayesville on June 1. She has lived in Clay County with her family for 12 years.
“Though it will be so bittersweet to leave AES and Cherokee County Schools, this will be a tremendous blessing to have more time with my three kids and to work closer to home,” Godfrey said in a message to Andrews families.
“I am thankful for my experiences as a Wildcat and will forever hold the staff, the students, the families and the memories of my time at AES so very close to my heart.”
She has worked in Cherokee County Schools for 15 years, serving as an assistant principal for one year and principal for five years. She was named the Western Regional Principal of the Year in 2018.
Since Andrews Elementary met growth over the last three years, her annual salary is $78,684 for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The base salary for a principal at a school the size of Andrews Elementary would be $71,531, according to the state salary schedule. Since Hayesville Elementary is a larger school, the base salary there would be $74,938 next year.