WINDSOR – There’s a new principal in town.

Actually, it’s a current administrator at a new location.

During Monday’s meeting, the Bertie County Board of Education unanimously accepted the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart and named Sandra Hardy as the new principal of Bertie Middle School.

The school, currently under construction, is scheduled to open by the start of the 2007-08 academic year.

Hardy currently serves as principal at Southwestern Middle School. Southwestern will combine with C.G. White Middle School in Powellsville to form the new school.

“I have looked at all the applications we received for this very important position,” Dr. Collins-Hart said, adding that those who applied came from inside the Bertie County Public School system as well as from those outside the district.

She added, “I was looking for someone who is an innovator and someone with a high level of integrity. I was also looking for someone who would be able to bring together as one the current two staffs we have at Southwestern and C.G. White.”

Dr. Collins-Hart then announced Hardy as her choice, prompting a round of applause from the audience.

In another administrative move, Dr. Collins-Hart recommended and the board approved the naming of Pearline Bunch as the school system’s new Finance Office. Bunch has been serving as the interim in that position since the resignation of former BCPS Finance Officer Earnest Howard.

The board also approved changing the name of Serendipity School, which serves BCPS students as an alternative school, to Bertie Academy. That suggestion was made by board member Rickey Freeman.