The Dallas County School Board appointed two new principals Thursday during its regular board meeting.

Hattie Shelton, the former assistant principal at Tipton Middle School, is now the new principal at Bruce K. Craig Elementary. She replaces former principal Henry Ketton, who retired earlier this year.

Melanie Wright, a fourth grade teacher at J. E. Terry Elementary, assumed the new role of principal at J.E. Terry, replacing Adney Taylor Jr., who also retired.

Dallas County School System Superintendent Wayne May, who made the recommendations, said both candidates were well qualified and well respected.

“Hattie Shelton has a philosophy that fits in with our administration,” May said. “Be firm, fair and consistent. She has a proven record of being firm when necessary, and fair at all times.”

When asked by the board how she would increase parental involvement in the school system, Shelton, who has served 14 years with the Dallas County School system, said she would ask teachers to contact parents on a regular basis and that she would ask the school to hold frequent parental luncheons.

Wright, who has served 15 years within the Dallas County School system, was similarly praised by board members.

“She [Wright] has always been helpful to me whenever I have needed it,” said board member Ollis Grayson.

Board member Bill Minor added, “I have received so many phone calls, telling me what an excellent job Ms. Wright has been doing.”

Wright said she would continue Taylor’s philosophy of always providing a positive atmosphere for the students, and that she would try to increase parental involvement as much as possible.

One recommended candidate who did not receive a position as principal was Pearlie Cook Wright.

Wright, who has worked 25 years in the Dallas County School system, and currently serves as both the assistant principal and curriculum coordinator at Southside High School, was recommended as a candidate for the top position at Southside, replacing former principal James Parker.

Although the board declined to appoint Wright to the position, May praised her record, saying she had an extensive knowledge of the school program.

May, who met with the board in executive session to decide on who would be appointed to the new positions, said he could not comment on all the criteria for choosing the appointees at this time.