AURORA — Students and staff will see a new face at the helm of S.W. Snowden Elementary School starting July 1.

Principal Catherine Tahaney is moving into a new role with Beaufort County Schools as the pre-kindergarten coordinator. Southside High School Assistant Principal Debra Windley will take over as principal in Aurora, according to Dr. Don Phipps, superintendent.

S.W. Snowden has seen a high turnover rate in administration. Over the last decade, there were five principals; Windley is the sixth.

“I always hope that we can place principals and leave them at a school for periods of time that allow them to forge relationships, hire and place personnel, and build continuity and rapport inside the building and throughout the community,” Phipps said. “We have made great strides in recent years at Snowden, but we still have work to do.”

Windley said she is busy transitioning into her new role this summer.

She was working at S.W. Snowden on Wednesday, and said she is also wrapping up her work at Southside.

“I was born and raised in Aurora. Although I’ve lived in Washington for over 30 years, I still consider Aurora my home. So, I am extremely honored and excited to have the opportunity to be a part of providing the students with a quality education that prepares them (to) be successful at the next level, high school,” Windley wrote in an email. “Together we will take S.W. Snowden Elementary to the next level of greatness.”

Tahaney was not available for comments this week.

Tahaney served as principal for two years at S.W. Snowden, and during her tenure, emphasized the need for sharing school happenings with the public and worked to improve students’ testing scores.

S.W. Snowden has about 200 students, ranging from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. The school’s history spans several decades, but the current building was constructed about 10 years ago.

“I am confident that the leadership team at Snowden, along with a committed faculty and staff and supportive community, will continue to make progress,” Phipps said.