Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – The Mountain Brook Schools Board of Education met for a called board meeting on Tuesday morning. The board approved Superintendent Dr. Dicky Barlow’s recommendations for various administrative changes and the details are outlined below:

 

Lars Porter Named Mountain Brook High School Principal

 

Lars has eight years of experience in Mountain Brook as a classroom teacher, technology coordinator, and assistant principal. Before coming to Mountain Brook, Lars spent six years in Homewood as a teacher and head track coach.

 

“These experiences have helped equip him to become the principal of the high school,” Barlow said. “Lars’s understanding of instruction and school culture, paired with strong relationships within that community, makes him the best candidate for this position.”

 

Porter has served as Assistant Principal at MBHS since December 2022.

 

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with our school community in the role of principal and look forward to continuing to support students, faculty, and the entire community,” Porter said. “I have learned a great deal from Carrie (Busby) over the past few years and wish her the best in her retirement. We all know MBHS is a special place and I look forward to shepherding our school community into the future.”

 

Current MBHS Principal, Carrie Busby will retire this summer.

 

“I want to thank Carrie Busby again for her nearly decade-long service as a school administrator at MBHS and for her career in education. She is an excellent leader with great character and intellect. Her knowledge, compassion, and understanding of people are second to none. Mr. Porter will begin his new position on July 1, and we will now begin the search to fill the open MBHS assistant principal position,” Barlow added.

 

Nathan Pitner Approved as District’s Director of Personnel, Dr. Susan Cole Retiring

 

Brookwood Forest Elementary Principal, Nathan Pitner, will relocate to the Central Office and begin his new role as Director of Personnel on July 1, 2026. Pitner replaces Dr. Susan Cole who is retiring after 10 years in this position and a 50-year long career in education.

 

Nathan has worked in our district as a classroom teacher (MBE 2003-2007), Assistant Principal (Cherokee Bend 2007-2011) and Principal (Brookwood Forest 2011-2026). 

 

“For the last 15 years, Nathan has worked to make Brookwood Forest the special place that it is today,” Barlow said. “Through his vision, culture building, and personal relationships, I have seen Brookwood Forest thrive as a school under his leadership. With Nathan’s departure, we will begin our search process for the next principal at Brookwood Forest Elementary. It is and will continue to be a special place for all of our Rangers.”

 

Having spent the majority of his educational career at Brookwood Forest, Pitner feels a strong connection to school and said he will miss the day-to-day routine of seeing his faculty, student body and families.

 

“It has been one of the great blessings of my life to spend the last 15 years as part of our Family in the Forest,” Pitner said. “I’ve had the privilege of recruiting, equipping, and supporting the best imaginable collection of teachers and staff to work alongside our community to build a school where every Ranger can grow. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue this work at the district level, but like so many generations of Rangers, I’m grateful to be able to call the Forest home.”

 

Dr. Cole’s retirement will take place at the end of June.

 

“We will miss Susan and all she has contributed to our school system,” Barlow said. “She has cared so diligently for our teachers and staff and has earned a well-deserved retirement after 50 years in the education world.”