Meet Lowndes High School’s new principal

Published 1:00 pm Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Jaybez “Jay” Frank Floyd was named the new principal of Lowndes High School at last night’s Lowndes County Board of Education meeting.

“Lowndes High School definitely has a reputation for being one of the top schools in the state,” said Floyd. “With the community support and everything I know about Lowndes County schools, it was definitely on the top of my list for schools I knew I was going to be interested in.”

Floyd will officially take his position as Lowndes High School principal on July 1, 2012.

“There’s several goals that I’m going to have and I’m going to have a plan for the first 90 days, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to come in and try to change everything about Lowndes High School,” said Floyd. “What that does mean is I will definitely be evaluating programs and processes that are in place.”

According to Floyd, he hopes that his first year will be a thorough evaluation process. Floyd has big shoes to fill as current principal and future Lowndes County Schools Superintendent, Wes Taylor, took Lowndes High School to the next level. However, with 24 years of experience in education and 13 years of experience in administration, Floyd has the credentials for the challenge.Floyd obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Carson-Newman

College in Jefferson City, Tenn. as well as his M.A.T. in Education. He received his Ed. S. in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University is Harrogate, Tenn.

Floyd is currently the principal of Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Ga., where he has been since 2004. From 2001 to 2003, he was the Assistant Principal at Cartersville High School. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia High School Association since 2009, a board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes since 2003, a Georgia’s Leadership Institute for School presenter since 2003, a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools facilitator since 2003, from 2004 to 2009 served as the 6AAA Region President for the Georgia High School Association, from 1991 to 2001 was the Energy Education Manager for Dalton Public Schools and from 1995 to 2001 was the Instructional Supervisor for Dalton High School.

As an administrator, Floyd increased graduation rates to 85.7 percent, received a System Stellar Performer Award in Administration, doubled the number of students taking advanced placement and honors classes, established one of the highest attendance rates in the state (97 percent average daily attendance), developed a nationally recognized Renaissance Program, was recognized as a Jostens Model School, cut discipline rates in half, was recognized as the top media center in the south on the use of e-books and developed and implemented a system called Character Education Program – Changing Lives.

His personal affairs are just as impressive as his professional achievements. Floyd has been married for 24 years to his wife Mandy, whom he has two children with: a daughter named Madison, who will be attending Lowndes High School as a sophomore, and a son, Justin, who is  currently a Freshmen at Furman University in Greenville, SC., on a football scholarship.

Floyd is also an ordained deacon, a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Cartersville Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Cartersville Schools Foundation Board, Fellowship of Christian Athletes board member and Georgia High School Association executive committee member.

“We’re very excited, my family is totally excited,” said Floyd. “We’re looking forward to being a part of the community and we’re looking forward to getting to know the school family, I really think it’s going to be something special.”

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