Principal hired at special meeting

By Melinda L. Lucas

A new principal for Albany Junior/Senior High School was hired at a special noon meeting of the AISD board of trustees on Friday, June 2.

Ezra Chambers, who has served as principal of Abernathy High School since 2018, was the recommendation of superintendent Jonathan Scott. Kim Fuentes’ motion to extend a contract, which included no other details, was seconded by Joe Tidwell and passed unanimously.

Chambers earned his bachelor’s in elementary education and his master’s in administration from Lubbock Christian University. He has served in assistant and associate principals’ roles at Levelland, Monterey-Lubbock, and Estacado-Lubbock prior to going to Abernathy.

His wife, Jenci Chambers, who has been principal of Abernathy Elementary, was hired at Friday’s meeting for the interventionist position at Nancy Smith Elementary School with some additional duties, mainly staff support, that will also take her to the secondary campus.

After more than a decade in the classroom, she was an instructional specialist before becoming an elementary assistant principal in Lubbock for a few years before the move to Abernathy.

“We were initially drawn to Albany because of the amazing support the community has for the school,” Ezra Chambers said. “The tradition-rich community and school was a huge draw for us, and this is an amazing move for our family because we are also able to be closer to our three grown children. We are so excited to be Albany Lions.”

The couple’s youngest son Chip was with them at last week’s meeting and is already participating with new teammates in Albany’s summer 7-on-7 competition.

The AJSH principal will officially be in his office after July 1 but plans to be in and out over the next few weeks.