Two newly-hired principals for the division’s elementary schools have worked to unify the division using their experience to solve issues their schools have faced.

Lucy Hall and Casey Jackson are the new principals of Kenbridge Elementary School and Victoria Elementary School, respectively.

The two were introduced to the Lunenburg County School Board on Friday.

Jackson was formerly the assistant principal of South Hill Elementary School in Mecklenburg and studied at Longwood University.

Hall served as the assistant principal of Kenbridge Elementary School for two years prior to being named principal and also studied at Longwood University.

Dawn Bacon, former principal with Victoria Elementary School, has been tapped to work at the Central School Office as director of elementary education, where Bacon will oversee activity in the division’s elementary schools.

Kathleen Rainey, former principal of Kenbridge Elementary School, retired after more than 44 years with the division.

Hall and Jackson said they have worked together for weeks prior to their first

official start date, July 1, focusing on overcoming financial concerns for the schools in addition to continuing to improve student test scores and school programs.

Tackling these solutions has been easier as Jackson and Hall are friends, and have known each other before collaborating professionally.

Hall and Jackson their children are involved with sports programs in Lunenburg County, and that their husbands have coached teams in the county.

Jackson said she is looking forward to the new collaboration into the school year, and helping the division continue to unify and their students to continue to grow academically and socially.

“We’re excited about working as a team,” Jackson said. “Working hard to collaborate on where we are and where we want to go. I know we’re both looking forward to working with the students, staff and community.”

Hall said their collaborative approach will bring new solutions to challenges the schools face, including financial difficulties and student testing scores.

“The need for both elementary schools to be on the same page will be a huge instrument of growth in our division,” Hall said.

To reach out to the Kenbridge and Victoria areas — particularly students — prior to the school year, Hall and Jackson have worked to organize an event at the Lunenburg Animal Shelter, corresponding with the shelter’s weekly “Fairy Tails and Fur” event, where preschool and elementary school students can read to pets in the shelter.

During the Friday, July 14 event, called “Popsicles, puppies and principals,” Hall and Jackson will hand out popsicles to the students, participate in the reading program and introduce themselves to the students and their parents.

Division Superintendent Charles Berkley praised Hall and Jackson, and said the county’s elementary schools can expect to see change in the upcoming school  year.

“They are going to be a dynamic team,” Berkley said during the meeting. “They already are a dynamic team, and they don’t officially start their capacities in the jobs until 12 o’clock tonight. They have been rocking and rolling this month, and you are going to see big things happen in the elementary education system.”