Cumberland Academy of Georgia Principal Don Sasso Announces Retirement; Doug Long to Serve as New Principal

Atlanta special-needs school, Cumberland Academy of Georgia, has selected Doug Long as its new principal. He will replace Don Sasso, who has been the school’s principal for the past six years and is retiring at the end of the current school year.

After 45 years in education, Cumberland Academy of Georgia principal Don Sasso has announced his decision to retire at the end of the current school year. Sasso has served as principal of the Atlanta special-needs school for the past six years. The school has chosen Doug Long as Sasso’s successor.

Long will assume his duties as principal of Cumberland Academy of Georgia starting this summer in preparation for the 2017-2018 school year. Sasso’s service to Cumberland will not totally end, as he will remain on the school’s advisory board.

Regarding the transition in leadership, Debbi Scarborough, founding director at Cumberland Academy of Georgia, stated, “It’s been a privilege to work with Mr. Sasso, and I’m excited for him as he enters this new chapter of his life. I know that he and Mr. Long are going to work closely together to plan a smooth transition, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Mr. Long brings to the Cumberland family.”

Long will move over to Cumberland from Dallas Elementary, where he has served as the music specialist since 2011. He has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music, and an education specialist in administration degree from Northwestern State University.

Long began his teaching career in 1988 as band director at Dean Rusk Middle School in Canton, Georgia. During his tenure in Cherokee County he taught band and general music at the high school and elementary levels. In 2000, he took an administrative position as assistant principal of Cass Middle School in Cartersville, Georgia, and was also the administrator for special education. Six years later, he became the principal of Southeast Elementary School in Rome, Georgia, and remained in that position until 2011. Southeast Elementary served the autistic, as well as mildly and moderately impaired elementary students in the Rome City School District.

“I believe Mr. Long will be a positive addition to Cumberland Academy of Georgia,” Scarborough said. “With his excellent background in special education and his commitment to the students at the schools where he has served, I believe the students, staff and parent communities here at Cumberland will be well cared for.”

About Cumberland Academy of Georgia:
Cumberland Academy of Georgia specializes in the needs of students in grades 4 through 12 who have ASD, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities. Cumberland was founded in 2007 by Debbi and Matthew Scarborough, and is a fully-accredited, independent, non-profit school that seeks to provide a safe and supportive academic atmosphere for its students. Cumberland accepts applications year-round. To schedule a family tour, please contact Terri Brooks, director of admissions, at 404-835-9000, or email admissions@cumberlandacademy.org.