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"Game-Changing" Decisions Place New Principals at 23 Schools
APRIL 21, 2017 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Public Relations & Communications Officer
352.671.7555 ◊ FAX: 352.671.7735 ◊ CELL: 352.840.3265
Email: Public.Relations@Marion.k12.fl.us
“GAME-CHANGING” DECISIONS PLACE
NEW PRINCIPALS AT 23 SCHOOLS
MARION COUNTY – In her own words, Superintendent Dr. Heidi Maier is making “game-changing decisions” to the administration of dozens of schools, including new principals at 23 schools.
Maier and her decision team, including both Deputy Superintendents Dr. Jonathan Grantham and Dr. Craig Ham, promised last November the changes would happen so students would benefit from new leadership. Making these announcements now gives school administrators more time to adjust to their new positions before the school year starts in August.
Current principals, assistant principals, and district administrators interviewed 169 candidates last month for school principal and assistant principal positions. Some applicants came from as far as Texas and Alaska.
The results of those interviews place new leaders at 23 schools. Of these, 10 are first-time principals, including four who are brand new to Marion County Public Schools.
Here is a listing of principal changes for the 2017-18 school year alphabetically by school:
ELEMENTARY
- Anthony – Lisa Coy transfers here from the same position at South Ocala Elementary.
- College Park – Laura Burgess transfers here from the same position at Maplewood Elementary.
- East Marion – Suzette Parker transfers here from the same position at Osceola Middle.
- Greenway – Jamie North joins the district as a first-time principal She previously served as a school administrator in Hillsborough County and is a former teacher in Alachua County.
- Hammett Bowen Jr. – Traci Crawford transfers here from the same position at Ocala Springs Elementary.
- Madison Street – Ryan Bennett transfers here from the same position at Shady Hill Elementary.
- Maplewood – Lamar Rembert becomes a first-time principal He joined the district in 2004 and previously served as assistant principal at Madison Street Academy.
- Marion Oaks – Shay Guynn becomes a first-time principal She joined the district in 2001 and left in 2016. She was a school-based coordinator and returns with experience as an Exceptional Student Education coordinator from Citrus County.
- Oakcrest – Diane Leinenbach becomes a first-time principal She joined the district in 2000 and previously served as assistant principal at Belleview High, Dunnellon Middle, Liberty Middle, West Port High, and North Marion Middle Schools.
- Ocala Springs – Cassandra Boston transfers here from the same position at College Park Elementary.
- Reddick-Collier – Joelene Vining joins MCPS as a first-time principal here after serving as principal at McIntosh Area School.
- Shady Hill – Deb Reidl transfers here from the same position at Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary.
- South Ocala – Stephanie Callaway transfers here from the district level. Callaway most recently served as principal at the middle school level.
- Stanton-Weirsdale – Cynthia Brodie transfers here from the district level.
- Sunrise – Dr. Anna DeWese transfers here from the district level.
- Ward-Highlands – Regina Dickey transfers here from the same position at Reddick-Collier Elementary.
MIDDLE
- Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks – Don Maier transfers here as a first-time principal. He joined the district in 2004 and previously served as assistant principal at North Marion, Lake Weir, and Forest High Schools.
- Liberty – Melissa Forsyth becomes a first-time principal here after serving as assistant principal at the same school. She joined the district in 2005 and previously served as assistant principal at Liberty Middle School. She is also Marion County’s 2008 Rookie Teacher of the Year.
- Osceola – Melissa Kinard transfers here from the same position at Ward-Highlands Elementary.
HIGH
- Dunnellon – Wade Martin joins the district as a first-time principal Previously, he served as a magnet coordinator and assistant principal in Hillsborough County.
- North Marion – Elizabeth Brown becomes a first-time principal here after serving as assistant principal at the same school. She joined the district in 2015 and offers administrative experience from schools in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
- Vanguard – Troy Sanford transfers here from the same position at Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks.
- West Port – Ginger Cruze becomes a first-time principal here after serving as assistant principal at the same school. She joined the district in 2000 and previously served as coordinator and assistant principal.
Though these appointments become effective July 1, 2017, principals will be at their new schools before the current school year ends (after classes conclude).
The new appointments also include 55 assistant principal changes at 37 schools.
For more information, contact my office or visit www.marionschools.net.
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