Hollywood, MD – It’s almost time for Southern Maryland’s public school students to return to the classroom. Both Calvert and Charles counties will start the 2016-2017 school year Monday, Aug. 29. St. Mary’s County Public Schools will start five days before the region’s other two counties. A new school year always bring change and one high-profile area where the turnover is rather brisk is the principal’s office.
To date, 25 Southern Maryland schools will have new principals. Calvert County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Curry told The BayNet that most of principal changes in school systems are necessitated when a vacancy occurs. There are a variety of factors creating the vacancies, as principals retire, move to another area, or for personal reasons, decide to seek another position within the school system.
Curry pointed out that this year Calvert has two principals who are assuming posts in the system’s central office. The change is welcome, Curry indicated. “We encourage our principals and vice principals to develop a variety of experiences,” he said. “We encourage personal development and broadening perspectives.”
Sometimes an individual is seen as the person whose leadership qualities can move a school with a legging performance record in a more positive direction. “We tell them ‘we need you here,’ ” said Curry. The Calvert superintendent said the school system’s process begins with a “blanket posting,” to see what current employees are interested in becoming administrators. Applications are received, candidates are interviewed, finalists are chosen and then a second interview with the finalists is conducted by a team of administrators. The superintendent makes the final selection, which then needs the approval of the Board of Education.
As the new school year arrives, here are the schools with new principals and the chosen individuals who will lead those schools.
Calvert County
Michelle Ward, Barstow Elementary; Charles Treft, Mount Harmony Elementary; Karen Vogel, Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus; Pam Kasulke, Sunderland Elementary; Rebecca Bowen, Mill Creek Middle; Steve Lucas, Calvert High; and Stephan Williams, Northern High.
Charles County
Ben Kohlhorst, C.Paul Barnhart Elementary; William Miller, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary; Debbie Calvert, William A. Diggs Elementary; Greg Miller, J.C. Parks Elementary; Robert Opiekun, T.C. Martin Elementary; Sandra Taylor, Berry Elementary; Thadine Wright, J.P. Ryon Elementary; Michelle Beckwith, Dr. James Craik Elementary; Chrystal Benson, Thomas Stone High; Mike Meiser, Westlake High; and Steven Roberts, McDonough High.
St. Mary’s County
Jamie Jameson, Evergreen Elementary; Contina Quick-McQueen, Leonardtown Elementary; Dr. Rebecca Schou, Lexington Park Elementary; Denise Eichel, George Washington Carver Elementary; Dr. Deborah Dennie, Leonardtown Middle; Wendy Zimmerman, Spring Ridge Middle; and Kimberly Summers, Chopticon High.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com