To work at central office until retirement; former principal returns to post

Covington County Schools Federal Programs Director Donny Powell has been named interim principal at Florala High School, and former principal Brent Zessin has been moved to the central office for the time being.

Covington County Schools Superintendent Shannon Driver confirmed the move Tuesday.

Driver said that Powell, who was previously the FHS principal, will fill the position temporarily.

“(Zessin) is at the central office short term,” he said. “He is planning to retire soon and has some other options he is working on when he leaves Covington County.”

Late last month, rumors swirled that Zessin had fired Florala head basketball coach Troy Stewart during halftime of a basketball game in Paxton, Fla.

Driver would not disclose any further details of the alleged incident.

“I would prefer just to leave it to my original statement,” he said. “The retirement is something he has discussed with me for some time.”

Driver confirmed Stewart would continue to coach at Florala.

“There are no plans for that to change,” he said. “He has actually coached several games since Christmas and will continue to coach both boys and girls.”