Whitehead Road Elementary assistant principal Laura Kraus will serve as interim principal at Chase Street Elementary through the end of the school year, Clarke County School District interim superintendent Xernona Thomas announced today.

Kraus will replace Nikki Hittle, who abruptly resigned Monday.

"As a strong instructional leader who understands the importance of building a collaborative culture, Mrs. Kraus enjoys and values making connections with students and families," Thomas said in a news release and note to parents. "I am confident in her ability to lead the Chase Street Elementary community until a permanent replacement is selected."

Kraus previously taught 4th grade and early intervention at Chase. She started her 13-year CCSD career as a parapro at Gaines Elementary and later taught kindergarten, 3rd grade and 5th grade there.

She has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and a master's degree in early childhood education from UGA, and is working on a doctorate of education at Kennesaw State.

CCSD will host community and staff meetings Mar. 23 on filling the position permanently. Applications will be accepted through March, and candidates will be screened and interviewed in April before a recommendation to the school board in May, according to Thomas.