DAWSONVILLE — The Dawson County school system has reached into neighboring Forsyth to find the new principals for its two middle schools.

Randi Sagona and Jeff Clapper will be taking over Riverview and Dawson County middle schools respectively for Bill Zadernak (retiring) and Mark Merges (transferring) next school year.

Sagona is currently the assistant principal at Piney Grove Middle in south Forsyth, while Clapper holds the same post at Little Mill Middle in north Forsyth.

Dawson County’s school board approved the hires earlier this month. They will take their respective posts for the 2015-16 school year.

Sagona has 27 years of experience in education, having previously served as a graduation coach in Forsyth, as well as a special education teacher in New York and Florida.

Clapper has 20 years of educational experience, having taught technology in Gwinnett and Forsyth counties for six years before moving to the assistant principal position for 14 years.

Lisa Perry, Dawson’s assistant superintendent of personnel, said the district had “an impressive pool of candidates and that was very pleasing.”

"We have selected what we feel are the top candidates and best fit for Dawson County schools,” she said.