Cynthia Cruce is returning to Chelsea Middle School to serve as principal, after serving the past nine years as Oak Mountain Middle School as an assistant principal. Cruce, who previously served as assistant principal at Chelsea Middle from 2006-2012, told the Board of Education members she is excited to return to the Chelsea community.

Cruce has been an educator for 29 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Alabama. She completed her administrative certification and her education specialist degree from the University of Montevallo.

The Board of Education also approved Russell Leonard as the new assistant principal at Calera High School. Leonard, who has eight years of experience in education, most recently served as the administrative assistant at Helena High School.

Leonard earned a bachelor’s degree in English Language Arts and a master’s degree in administration of elementary and secondary education from Auburn University. Leonard will complete his education specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama and then hopes to pursue a doctorate in education degree.