Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) Interim Superintendent Nancy V. Highsmith has wasted no time in dealing with administrative vacancies at five schools. In a memo to the Calvert County Board of Education (BOE) obtained by The Bay Net, Highsmith has named the following staff members as acting principals.

Kevin Howard, who has been serving as acting principal at Calvert High School (CHS), is the interim super’s choice for principal at Northern High School (NHS). Dr. Sylvia Lawson, the previous NHS principal, has left CCPS to take a high administrative position with Charles County Public Schools.

Dr. Susan Johnson, who had been serving as acting director of CCPS’ Department of Human Resources, will return to CHS in here previous position as principal. 

Michael Watson, who was a vice principal at Patuxent High School (PHS) was selected to fill Highsmith’s previous post as principal at the school.

James Kurtz was named acting principal at Windy Hill Middle School, succeeding Karen Burnett, who has retired. Kurtz had been serving as a vice principal at Calvert Middle School.

Charles Treft is Highsmith’s choice for acting principal of Appeal Elementary School. The school’s previous principal, Bernadette Stephenson, has retired. Treft has been serving as a vice principal at Plum Point Elementary School.

Additionally, Mandy Blackman has been selected as the vice principal for Southern Middle School.

Highsmith will recommend all of the designees for permanent positions at the BOE’s July 11 meeting.

The appointment of Highsmith as interim superintendent was made by the BOE Wednesday, June 26, one week after the board announced CCPS’ current top administrator, Dr. Jack Smith, was leaving in August. Smith had served as superintendent for seven years.

The local school board intends to conduct a national search for a permanent superintendent. Local and state candidates for the post will also be considered. When asked if she intended to apply for the permanent job, Highsmith replied, “absolutely.”

“We are extremely pleased,” said BOE President Dr. Eugene Karol, who told Highsmith, “I know everyone will pull together to help you lead.”

Modular classroom bid OK’d