Mary Ellen RitterDaytona Beach News-Journal
With a new school year comes new principals in Volusia and Flagler counties.
Old Kings Elementary is the only Flagler County school starting the year with a new principal. Former Buddy Taylor Middle School assistant principal Jessica Fries will fill the role. She has been with the district since July 2019, and she earned a bachelor's degree in exceptional student education from Daytona State College and a master's degree in educational leadership at Stetson University.
As for Volusia County, at least 14 schools started the year with a new principal. Here are they are.
Campbell Middle School
Marcia Owens is the new principal at Campbell Middle School. She began her career in education in 2004, and came to Volusia County Schools from Orange County Public Schools. Owens earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Champion Elementary
Steffan Mallory is the new principal at Champion Elementary. He has been with Volusia County Schools since 1997, where he started as a teacher at Tomoka Elementary. Since then, he has served as an assistant principal at Discovery Elementary, River Springs Middle, Holly Hill School and Creekside Middle. Mallory earned a bachelor's degree from Bethune-Cookman University and a master's degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Creekside Middle School
Joshua Jackson is the new principal at Creekside Middle School.He began his education career in 2006, and he joined Volusia County Schools as a principal at Pathways Elementary in 2021. He earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Northern Kentucky University.
Deltona High School
Christina Lapnow is the new principal at Deltona High School. She has been with Volusia County Schools since 2006, serving as a teacher at DeLand High and University High and also as an assistant principal at Deltona High. Lapnow earned degrees from Kent State University, Stetson University and Creighton University.
Discovery Elementary
Christopher Mertz is the new principal at Discovery Elementary. He began his career in education in 2006, and joined Volusia County Schools after working with Seminole County Public Schools. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and a master’s degree from Stetson University.
Holly Hill School
Jennifer Dietz is the new principal at Holly Hill School. She has been with Volusia County Schools since 2007, starting her career as a teacher at Westside Elementary. Dietz later served as an assistant principal at R.J. Longstreet, Turie T. Small and Champion elementary schools. Most recently, she worked as principal at Discovery Elementary. Dietz earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree from Arkansas State University.
Pathways Elementary
Kevin Berry is the new principal at Pathways Elementary. He began his education career in 1998, serving as a teacher, curriculum supervisor and director of curriculum in Alachua County Public Schools. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Florida.
Pine Ridge High School
Julian Doster is the new principal at Pine Ridge High School. He has been with the district since 2012, having taught at New Smyrna Beach Middle School and serving as an assistant principal at Atlantic High School. Doster earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of North Florida and a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida.
Port Orange Elementary
Michael Zablo is the new principal at Port Orange Elementary. He has been with Volusia County Schools since 2010, serving as a teacher at Holly Hill School and also an assistant principal at River Springs Middle, Southwestern Middle and Holly Hill School. Zablo earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State University and a master’s from Stetson University.
Pride Elementary
Carrie Ann Devaney is the new principal at Pride Elementary. Devaney has been with Volusia County Schools since 1998, when she served as an assistant teacher at Sunrise Elementary. Since then, she has served as a teacher, an assistant principal and a teacher at various schools throughout the district. Devaney earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University.
R.J. Longstreet Elementary
Amy Richardson is the new principal at R.J. Longstreet Elementary. She has been with Volusia County Schools since 2010, serving as a teacher at Indian River Elementary, Spruce Creek Elementary and Beachside Elementary, an assistant principal at Spruce Creek Elementary, and a special assistant principal at Riverview Learning Center. Richardson earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Central Florida.
Southwestern Middle School
Tai Swift is the new principal at Southwestern Middle School. Swift has been with Volusia County Schools since 2011, previously serving as an assistant principal at Southwestern Middle and Galaxy Middle as well as a teacher at Southwestern Middle. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman University, a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida, and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.
Sunrise Elementary
Melissa Fratus is the new principal at Sunrise Elementary.She has been with Volusia County Schools since 2002, having previously served as a teacher at DeBary Elementary, Manatee Cove Elementary and River Springs Middle as well as an academic coach at Manatee Cove Elementary. Fratus earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and a master's degree from Grand Canyon College.
University High School
Amanda Wiles is the new principal at University High School. She has been with Volusia County Schools since 1997, working at Deltona and Heritage middle schools before advancing to leadership roles. Wiles was assistant principal at South Daytona Elementary; ESE assistant principal at Silver Sands and River Springs middle schools; principal at Discovery Elementary and Silver Sands Middle schools; and the district’s executive director of exceptional student education. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida and a master’s degree from Nova University.
