Jo Karney
By KAREN CIMINO WILSON
DavidsonNews.net
Davidson IB Middle School Principal Jo Karney has been named principal at J.M. Alexander Middle School in Huntersville, effective July 1. The announcement by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Thursday clarifies leadership at the school, where the middle years IB program will move next year. And it comes as parents begin applying for the school district’s 2011-12 magnet-school lottery.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced last year that Davidson IB Middle School on South Street will close at the end of this school year as part of a series of budget-cutting school closings and consolidations.
The middle-years International Baccalaureate program will move to J.M. Alexander, which is on Hambright Road in Huntersville. School officials said at the time that they would consider staffing changes to go along with the consolidation of the programs.
Students and some staff from Davidson IB will be moving to J.M. Alexander for the 2011-12 school year.
Dr. Karney said in a statement on the school’s web site that she is looking forward to leading Alexander and building on its rich tradition of excellence, while at the same time continuing to lead the outstanding International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program that will be moving from Davidson.
Dr. Karney plans to work closely with Joanna Smith, principal at J.M. Alexander, as well as the parents, teachers and students of both schools during this transitional period. Already, the two principals have worked together to showcase the two separate programs and talk about what to expect in 2011-12 as they become one school.
