Columbia Public Schools announced Tuesday that M. Fernanda Blackburn will be the principal at West Boulevard Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year.
Currently, Blackburn is the assistant principal at Shepard Boulevard Elementary School. She will replace Morgan Neale who announced she would be moving to Rock Bridge Elementary School as assistant principal earlier this year, according to a news release.
Blackburn has 26 years of experience in education, including 20 years as a classroom teacher, two years in curriculum and instruction and four years as an assistant principal, according to the news release.
“Dr. Blackburn is focused on fostering student success, supporting educators, and building strong partnerships with families and the community and we are excited to have her join the West Boulevard community,” Superintendent Jeff Klein said in the news release.
Blackburn has a bachelor’s degree in bilingual education, a master’s degree in education and a doctoral degree in child development and education.