Calhoun City Schools names Franco Perkins as new Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Calhoun High School
With the promotion of current assistant principal and athletic director, Dr. Brock Holley to principal at Calhoun Elementary School, a search for his replacement took place in December. This search engaged leaders both internally and externally and culminated in a hire right here close-to-home. CHS teacher and coach Franco Perkins has been selected to serve as the new athletic director and assistant principal at Calhoun High School, effective January of 2024.
Franco is a trusted name in the world of education, with extensive experience as both a teacher-leader and head coach. Currently in his 27th year as an educator and coach, Perkins holds a bachelor’s degree from Carson Newman University, and a Master's degree and Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Jacksonville State University. He has been recognized as the Calhoun High School Teacher of the year (2023-2024), and as a Launch to Excellence Award recipient in 2019 for his work both in and out of the classroom.
Coach Perkins has spent the past 8 years at Calhoun High School where he has served as an Exceptional Student Services Teacher and Defensive Line coach for the CHS football team. Coach Perkins and his wife, Jennifer, have two children: Jordan, a student at the University of West Georgia, and Trey, a sophomore at Calhoun High School.
Franco is looking forward to making an immediate impact at Calhoun High School as he continues the outstanding work of the administrative and athletic departments. He will work in collaboration with newly appointed System Executive Director of Athletic Programs, Hal Lamb, as they grow the standard of excellence present at Calhoun City Schools.
Ben Riley to Serve as System Director of the Arts & Facility Management
Calhoun City Schools is pleased to share that Ben Riley will take on the responsibility of directing and coordinating the visual and performing arts programs across the district in addition to his existing role of facilities management.
In addition to being the 2019 CHS teacher of the year, Ben has faithfully served CCS as a special education teacher, department chair, and facilities supervisor over the past decade. Mr. Riley has been a pivotal member of the performing arts department, specifically supporting their productions with lighting, sound, and technical design, which garnered him a Shuler nomination in 2019 for CHS’s production of “Peter Pan”. Riley is also an accomplished pianist and performer. His degree in telecommunications with an emphasis on audio and video production prepared him to enhance the arts programs through his involvement.
Ben manages the Calhoun Performing Arts Center and Black Box Theatre as a part of his duties and responsibilities and has supervised the rental of these spaces to many community organizations, in addition to their internal use. In his new role, he will continue to ensure that Calhoun City Schools has access to state of the art facilities and equipment in direct support of the arts.
Although Ben will continue to manage the performing arts facilities across the district, his additional responsibilities shall focus on enhancing and unifying the visual and performing arts across the district as we continue to raise the bar of excellence. Ben’s skill set and his dedication to the arts are a natural fit for this position.
GO JACKETS!