A Dawson County middle school principal resigned last week after accepting a position in the Cherokee County school system.

Dawson County Middle School Principal, Dr. Mark Merges resignation

was accepted Tuesday, March 3, by the local board of education.

Merges has been with Dawson County for seven years and opened the new middle school at that time (what time?)

Prior to working in Dawson County, Merges worked in Cherokee County for fourteen years as an assistant principal at Dean Rusk Middle School and a teacher at both Arnold Mill and Little River elementary schools.

Merges starts his new position mid-July.

"It has been a blessing and an honor to serve this community," Merges said reflecting on his time with Dawson County. "I will truly miss the relationships we have built with all stakeholders. This is the best group of parents and students.

Merges earned an Educational Leadership doctorate from Sanford University, an Educational Specialist in Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University, a Masters of Arts in Health from the University of Alabama and a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from the State University of New York at Brockport. He resides in Cherokee County with his wife, Jennifer, their six children, three dogs, a cat and a rabbit.