Originally Posted: Feb. 18, 2026

The Jackson County Board of Education approved the hire of three elementary principals during a called meeting on Wednesday morning. The Board approved Ms. Aja Ledford as the new principal for Heroes Elementary School, Ms. Alison Stover as the new principal of North Jackson Elementary School, and Dr. Nicole Matthews as the principal of the new Hayes Farm Elementary School.

Both Ledford and Stover will replace principals who will be retiring this summer, and will officially begin their new positions in July. Dr. Matthews will remain in her position as assistant principal at West Jackson Elementary School and will begin her duties as principal at HFES in January 2027. Dr. Matthews will spend the first seven months on the job preparing to open the new elementary school in the following August. 

“We are proud to announce Ms. Aja Ledford, Ms. Alison Stover, and Dr. Nicole Matthews as our new elementary principals,” said Superintendent Dr. Philip Brown. “Each of these outstanding leaders brings a wealth of experience, a passion for student success, and a deep commitment to excellence within the Jackson County School System. They are an exceptional fit for their respective schools and for our community, and I am confident they will continue to build strong cultures where students thrive every day.”

Ledford has served as an assistant principal at Heroes Elementary School since the school opened in 2024. Prior to HES, Ledford worked as an instructional coach at North Jackson Elementary School. Ledford has worked inside the Jackson County School System since 2011, working at Maysville Elementary School and West Jackson Primary School. 

Ledford has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Gainesville State College, a Master’s Degree in Education and an Education Specialists Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College. Ledford also earned her Tier 1 Leadership certificate from Piedmont.

Stover currently serves as an assistant principal at Gum Springs Elementary School, a position she has held since 2021. Prior to that, Stover also served Gum Springs as a gifted coordinator and second grade teacher. Stover has also served as an instructional coach and gifted coordinator at Beaver Ridge Elementary School, along with teaching kindergarten and third grade. 

Stover holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University, an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, and an Educational Leadership Certificate from Piedmont College.

Dr. Matthews served as both a classroom teacher and administrator at West Jackson Elementary School in Hoschton. She has served in her current role as assistant principal since 2022 under the leadership of Lori King. Dr. Matthews has also served as an EIP teacher, MTSS Coordinator and first grade teacher at WJES. 

Dr. Matthews holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College, an Educational Specialist Degree and Doctorate Degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment from Walden University.

Dr. Matthews will get the distinct opportunity to open the system’s newest elementary school as Hayes Farm Elementary School will become the system’s eighth elementary school. HFES will be located off Highway 332 and Boone Road in Hoschton, next to the new Hoschton High School and Sell’s Mill Middle School.