Denton school district officials announced promotions for two employees and another’s retirement.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, district trustees approved the promotions of Eric Harting, officially named principal of Cross Oaks Elementary School — scheduled to open in the district’s eastern region next fall — and Emily McLarty, who effective Dec. 31 will serve as the interim principal of Pecan Creek Elementary. She will replace current Principal Aleta Atkinson, who is expected to retire at year’s end.

Both staffers, who were present for Tuesday night’s vote, were all smiles as their promotions were announced.

“It feels wonderful,” said Harting. “It’s been a long road of uncertainty, so it’s nice to be finally settled.”

Harting has been with the Denton school district since 2005. He served for three years as assistant principal at E.P. Rayzor Elementary School before being appointed as interim principal of Stephens Elementary School in Shady Shores, filling in for Principal Rod Southard, who was out on medical leave until last spring.

Harting not only opened the campus in fall 2008 — a year ahead of schedule — he also helped build strong partnerships with parents and the community, district officials said in a news release.

Under his leadership, Stephens Elementary was ranked an exemplary campus by the Texas Education Agency in its first year.

Harting currently works at the district’s Central Services building as a human resources administrator. He said that he looks forward to opening a second campus and making contact with the families and community in the Cross Oak Ranch area as soon as possible.

Like at Stephens Elementary, he said he wants to bring in an atmosphere of transparency between school officials and its families, a collaborative culture and academic success.

For close to five years, McLarty has served as assistant principal of Pecan Creek Elementary School, which this year was named an exemplary campus. As an eight-year employee of the Denton district, McLarty also has served as an instructional support teacher and a third-grade teacher at McNair and E.P. Rayzor elementary schools.

She said she is excited to lead Pecan Creek and looks forward to building up campus initiatives such as the bilingual program that started this year.

“It’s a wonderful school and I’m just honored to be able to continue the vision that’s already in place,” McLarty said.

Atkinson could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

She has served as principal of Pecan Creek for seven years.

Atkinson has spent a total of 21 years with the Denton school district as an educator. She also has served as both a principal and assistant principal at Newton Rayzor Elementary School and a teacher at Ginnings Elementary School.

“Aleta is an outstanding principal with a great deal of compassion for her students and staff. Her teachers love her and she has achieved recognized and exemplary status for DISD several times during her career,” said Roger Rutherford, school district assistant superintendent for academic programs, in a prepared statement.

“Aleta has accepted the responsibility of being a mentor to new principals on several occasions, helping them to get started on the right foot. I wish her happiness in her future retirement.”

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .