JCPS announces administration changes for JCPS Virtual Academy, Innovation Academy

Johnston County Public Schools announced administration transitions for the JCPS Virtual Academy and the Innovation Academy at South Campus on Thursday, September 2.

Patsy Elrod resigned from her position as the Principal of the Virtual Academy. Kelley Johnson will transition into the role of Principal of the JCPS Virtual Academy on Tuesday, September 7. Stephen “Chris” Barnett, currently the Assistant Principal at Innovation Academy, will serve as interim Principal of the Innovation Academy until a permanent replacement is named.

“We thank Mrs. Elrod for the service she provided in launching the district’s newest school and first virtual academy, as well as her service to JCPS over the last decade,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy.

Johnson has a strong background in education, and has served as a middle and high school teacher, curriculum coach, high school assistant principal, central office administrator, and most recently since it opened in 2017 as the Principal of the JCPS Innovation Academy. There, she built strong relationships with staff, students, families, and the local community, and IASC has experienced great successes. For example, the Innovation Academy was 1 of 15 schools in the United States chosen to represent the country at the I Can Global Summit in Rome, Italy because of their work around addressing suffering in the community.