The Carroll County Board of Education approved a number of personnel changes at a called meeting March 9 including a new director of human resources and employee services and both a new principal and a new athletic director for Villa Rica High School.
Longtime high school administrator Rob Alford will be the new Principal at Villa Rica High School next year. Current Principal VRHS Dr. Mike Bedosky has been named Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Student Achievement for Social Circle City Schools and will depart at the end of the current school year.
Alford has been an assistant principal at Alexander High School since 2006 where he also serves as athletic director.
Alford began his teaching career in Villa Rica in 1989 and later taught at Temple High School before moving to Douglas County Schools in 1998. He has extensive experience as a teacher, coach, athletic director and administrator. His many roles have included summer school administrator, freshman academy principal, assessment coordinator, teacher of the year and region athletic director of the year.
Alford holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of West Georgia (then West Georgia College), and he earned both a leadership certificate and specialist degree from Jacksonville State University.
He and his wife, Kim, are longtime members of the Villa Rica community. They have two adult children, Ty and Gracie.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Villa Rica High School, where my educational journey began,” Alford said. “I look forward to serving alongside the amazing students, faculty, staff and community of Villa Rica. We are VR!”
Heather Elliott has been named Director of Human Resources and Employee Services.
Elliott comes to Carroll County Schools from Carrollton City Schools where she has served as an assistant principal since 2021, most recently at Carrollton High School.
Her teaching experience includes the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, Upson Lee South Elementary School and Temple Elementary, where she taught during the 2018-19 school year.
In this new role, Elliott will work directly with Jared Griffis, the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, to ensure that students are taught and served by highly qualified teachers and staff. She will oversee the evaluation process for employees, conduct investigations, oversee employee services, as well as coordinating the employee recruitment process with school administrators.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as Director of Human Resources and Employee Services for Carroll County Schools,” Elliott said. “I look forward to working alongside and supporting incredible educators and leaders while contributing to the continued success of the district.”
Elliott earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mercer University and a specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. She holds ESOL, Dyslexia and Gifted endorsements as well as a Tier 1 Leadership certificate.
Elliott and her husband have two adult sons.
“We are excited and pleased to welcome Rob and Heather to our system in these two extremely important roles,” Superintendent Scott Cowart said. “Central to our daily work is our underlying purpose of positively changing lives, and we’re confident that they both have what it takes to create premier experiences for students, employees, families, and our community partners. We can’t wait for them to get started.”
Current Bay Springs Middle School Assistant Principal Sam Robison was named the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for Villa Rica High School, replacing the retiring Rick Sauls.
Before coming to BSMS in 2025, Robison taught and coached at Calhoun High School, Bremen Middle School and Bremen High School. He has coached both football and wrestling.
Robison holds a bachelor’s degree in math education from Shorter University, a master’s degree from Western Governor’s University and a specialist degree from Kennesaw State University. He also holds gifted certification.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve Villa Rica High School as Athletic Director,” Robison said. “I look forward to working with our coaches and athletes to build a culture that reflects the pride of this community and develops young people who compete with character, integrity, and purpose.”
A lifelong west Georgian, Robison and his wife of 14 years, Kirstin, have 3 children – Jude, Swayze and Radnor. He also pastors a local Carroll County congregation.