Dallas County Schools has selected Robert Dolbare as its new J.E. Terry Elementary School principal.

Dolbare will continue to serve as a Dallas County High School history teacher until he starts his new position Oct. 1. The Dallas County School Board approved the transfer with a unanimous vote during its September board meeting.

Dolbare replaces Susan Morgan, who is retiring from the system after serving in the principal position for about seven years.

“He has an outstanding rapport with the students,” said Dallas County Superintendent of Education Don Willingham, who recommended Dolbare be hired at J.E. Terry. “He works hard, and he really cares about the students.”

Dolbare graduated from the University of Alabama with his bachelor’s degree in public relations in 2005.

The Valley Grande native went on to earn his masters of education in both secondary education social science and instructional leadership and education specialist degree in teacher leadership from the University of Montevallo between 2011 and 2014.

Dolbare is currently pursing an additional educational specialist degree in instructional leadership degree at the University of Montevallo.

The principal title might come with more responsibilities than his current position, but Dolbare said he’s up for the challenge.

“I look forward to building relationships with stakeholders and business leaders who create a greater interest in our elementary school in coming years,” Dolbare said.

As a Dallas County High graduate, Dolbare said he would miss the history position he has held at its school since 2008 but hopes to strengthen the relationship between Dallas County High and J.E. Terry Elementary.

School board president Mark Story said he fully supports the idea.

“I always like to see our feeder schools work with each other, too,” Story said. “Parents will know where their kids will be going, and they can develop a relationship there. It makes a family feel more secure about where their kids are going if there is already a relationship there.”

The Dallas County School board is currently searching for a replacement of Dolbare’s history teacher position.

Dolbare is married to the former Hailey Davis of Valley Grande. The couple has a 1-year-old son, Davis.