Photo credit – St. Mary’s County Public Schools
LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The St. Mary’s County Board of Education approved two key administrative appointments and one principal transfer during its April 9 meeting, Superintendent Dr. J. Scott Smith announced.
Jeffrey DiRenzo, current principal at Park Hall Elementary School, has been appointed to Director of Student Services II in the Department of Student Services. DiRenzo holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree from Chapman University.
Donna Thorstensen, principal at George Washington Carver Elementary, was appointed Director of Accountability and Reporting II within the Department of Accountability and Reporting. Thorstensen earned her bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University and a master’s degree from Towson University.
“These are the representatives who are the best of the best,” Smith said during his superintendent’s report, which also included recognition of teacher awardees and new initiatives in pre-K enrollment and arts education.
In addition to the appointments, the Board was informed of the upcoming transfer of Marc Pirner, principal of Chopticon High School. Pirner will assume leadership at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.
These appointments and transfer will become effective July 1, 2025.
The personnel updates were approved as part of the meeting’s consent agenda with little discussion, but reflect what Dr. Smith called a critical time of transition.
“This time of year there is so much stuff going on—and really, really, really, really good things,” he said. “We’re starting to build schedules and plans for next year. These are the kinds of changes that shape that work.”
Replacements for the outgoing principals have not yet been announced. Additional staffing updates are expected in the coming weeks as the school system prepares for the 2025-2026 academic year.
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