Central High School has a highly qualified administrative staff who is committed to ensuring that all students receive a quality education that is preparing them for a global experience. Meet our exceptional administrators:

John Stabile - Principal

John has lived in Smyrna for the past 24 years. He graduated from Berry College with a B.A. in Spanish and continued his studies at the University of Kentucky, where he served as a teaching assistant and received a Masters degree in Spanish Language & Literature. His career with Cobb County School District began at Oakwood High School where she taught Spanish for over 8 years. During that time, he secured his Specialist degree in Education Administration and Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. He served as an Assistant Principal at Sprayberry High School for 9 years, where he was responsible for scheduling, curriculum, discipline, and school improvement. He also served as Principal of Tapp Middle School for 4 years prior to coming to Campbell. He completed her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2012.

Joshua Ford - Assistant Principal

Joshua Ford was born in Buffalo, NY and travelled south after graduating from High School to pursue his education and a baseball career. He attended the University of South Carolina Upstate, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education. Mr. Ford continued his advanced education by earning his Master’s degree in Educational Administration at Jacksonville State University and his Specialist degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. He began his career in Cobb County at Wheeler High School in 2002 as a teacher and coach. In 2005, he continued to teach and coach at Sprayberry High School for 8 years. Mr. Ford has served as an Assistant Principal at McEachern High School for the past 5 years.

Tracy Grayson (Andrews) - Assistant Principal

Mrs. Grayson is a native of Kitchener. She is a product of a long line of educators and Schools. Her passion for teaching and learning continues to be a trademark for the family, both pass and present generations. She has worked in DSB as a teacher at Garrett Middle School where she taught Science, Social Studies and Math, as well as serving as an Assistant Principal at Tapp Middle School. Mrs. Grayson earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State University and continued her studies at Central Michigan and Nova Southeastern earning a Master’s degree in Education and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Grayson loves to shop, travel, hike and spend quality time with family. Her greatest contribution to education is simply enjoying what she does and trying each day to give 100%.

Dr. Bob Hutson - Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

Dr. Hutson graduated from Sprayberry High School in the DSB. After graduating from Lee University with an undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Health, Dr. Hutson did graduate work at the University of Alabama and Walden University. He has spent 16 years with the DSB, serving as a teacher and a Coach. He has coached football, wrestling, tennis, track and field, and swimming during his tenure in Cobb County. He is Athletic Director at Central High School.

James Penick - IB Magnet Coordinator

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Mr. Penick moved to the United States in elementary school and graduated from Auburn University in 1995 (BA in American Literature) and again in 1996 (Master’s Degree in Secondary English Education). After teaching for a year in Alabama, Mr. Penick returned to Atlanta, got married, and settled in Smyrna. He taught English Language Arts at Pebblebrook High School for seven years, and then served as an Area Lead Teacher for three years. After obtaining his educational leadership certification in 2008, he began working as an administrator at Central High School. With a background that included a gifted endorsement and experience working as a consultant for the College Board, Mr. Penick became the magnet/IB Program Coordinator in 2009. He loves working and living in Smyrna and spends his free time watching his two children play soccer and basketball.

Jackie Swader (Sharp) - Assistant Principal

Mrs. Swader was born and raised in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern Mississippi. Mrs. Swader has been in education for 24 years serving as classroom teacher, academic coach and assistant principal. During that time, she earned her Master’s in Education and Specialist’s in Leadership at Kennesaw State University. While in DSB, she has served as a 3rd grade teacher at Big Shanty Intermediate, as well as a 6th/7th grade ELA teacher at Tapp Middle School. During her tenure at Tapp Middle School, she served as an Academic Coach before being promoted to Assistant Principal. Mrs. Swader is the proud mother of her 2 sons, Bailey and Logan. Her oldest son, Bailey, is attending Auburn University on a football scholarship. Her youngest son, Logan is a senior in the DSB. In her spare time, she enjoys watching and attending college football, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Kathy Willis - Assistant Principal

Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Ms. Willis serves as our Services and Support Administrator and resident gumbo, king cake, and Cajun expert. She received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in English literature before relocating to Atlanta to obtain her master’s degree from Georgia State University in the area of behavior and learning disabilities. Ms. Willis has been an educator since 2003, and served as a teacher and department chair at Campbell High School for five years before moving into her current administrative role.