Two East Cobb schools will have new principals when the 2012-13 school year begins in August. 

Principal Rick Beaulieu of Pope High School was appointed by the Cobb Board of Education Wednesday night as an area assistant superintendent.

Cobb County School District spokesman Doug Goodwin said Beaulieu's specific geographic assignment has not been made. 

During his time at Pope, Beaulieu oversaw renovations of the school building and Pope's move to Class AAAA in the Georgia High School Association, which made Greyhounds sports teams more competitive. 

Said Cobb school board member David Banks of Beaulieu: 

"Not only has he been a very effective and outstanding principal, but he’s made Pope High School one of the premier schools in this county and this state. I really don’t want to lose him, but I’m very happy for his promotion. I hope the next one’s even better than he is."

Also on Wednesday, the school board announced that Hightower Trail Middle School principal Dr. Hilda Wilkins is retiring. 

The moves by Beaulieu and Wilkins are both effective July 1.