JUNE 4, 2026 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations

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NEW PRINCIPALS NAMED AT SEVEN MARION COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MARION COUNTY – The end of the regular school year calendar normally ushers in new principal changes, and seven Marion County schools will have new leaders when the new school year begins in early August.

Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer announced the following changes, with most already settling in to their new roles just days into the summer season. Asterisks (*) indicate first-time principals in Marion County Public Schools:

• *Belleview Elementary – Rebekah Winkler becomes the new principal. She’s a former assistant principal at Oakcrest Elementary who earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University.
• Dunnellon Elementary – Victoria Thompson transfers as principal from the same position at Belleview Elementary. She earned her bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Florida A&M University and her master’s in Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. This is her second principal appointment.
• Dunnellon High – Erika Wiggins moves here as principal from the same position at next-door Dunnellon Elementary. She earned her bachelor’s in Varying Exceptionalities K-12 from Nova Southeastern University and her master’s in Education Leadership from the University of West Florida. This is her second principal appointment.
• Forest High – Chris Carlisle returns to the head role, transferring from Employment Services. Carlisle holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida, a master’s in Education Leadership from American College of Education, and a juris doctorate from Florida State University. This is his second principal appointment.
• *Fort King Middle – Katy Owen becomes principal, moving from assistant principal at nearby Vanguard High School. Her bachelor’s degree in History comes from the University of Florida while her master’s in Education Leadership comes from Saint Leo University.
• Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks – Wade Martin moves here as principal from the same position at Dunnellon High. His bachelor’s in Varying Exceptionalities comes from the University of South Florida while his master’s in Education Leadership comes from Nova Southeastern University. This is his second principal appointment.
• *Liberty Middle – Terrell Davis moves here to become principal, transferring from assistant principal at West Port High School. His bachelor’s in Biology is from Florida A&M University while his master’s in Education Leadership comes from American Intercontinental University.

The following principal changes were announced in March of this year:

• *Belleview-Santos Elementary – Connie Carpenter, former assistant principal at Lake Weir Middle School.
• Eighth Street Elementary – Current Osceola Middle Principal Renee Johnson takes on a second school located on the same campus.
• *Fordham Early Learning Academy – Tracy Moody, former assistant principal at the same school.
• *Hillcrest – Cindy Lowe, former assistant principal at the same school.
• Howard Middle – Dr. Dion Gary, former principal at Forest High and Belleview Middle Schools.
• *North Marion Middle – Stephanie Collins, former assistant principal at the same school.
• South Ocala Elementary – Ryan Bennett, moves from principal at Eighth Street Elementary School. He also served as principal at Anthony, Madison Street Academy, and Shady Hill Elementary Schools.
• *Sunrise Elementary – Susan Williams, former assistant principal at Ross Prairie Elementary School.

Higher-level district moves include:

• Construction Services – Eric Ostanik moves here as director, transferring from supervisor of Transportation.
• Employment Services – Dr. Anissa Brockington takes over as director, formerly the director of Talent Management.
• K12 Multiple-Tiered System of Support – Rebekah Cook becomes Coordinator, formerly principal at Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks.
• Multilingual Learner – Dr. Diana Elysee becomes coordinator, moving from principal at South Ocala Elementary School.
• Talent Management – Suzette Parker becomes director, formerly principal at Howard Middle, East Marion and Romeo Elementary, and Osceola Middle Schools.
• Transportation – Stanley Jacobs becomes supervisor, transferring from the Student Assignment and Records Department.

These appointments become official following School Board approval.

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