Pasco’s Mary Giella Elementary School to get new principal

For the past seven years, students at Pasco County's Mary Giella Elementary have counted on "Papa" in their front office.

But starting next week, popular principal George Papaemanuel will embark on a new role in the school district. He heads to the central office as a "human capital partner," with responsibilities for recruiting and retaining teachers and other employees.

He announced his plans to his staff about two weeks ago, but still awaits School Board approval.

Aiming not to miss a beat, the administration already has selected the next leader for Mary Giella. It's another longtime educator with ties to the more rural north-central Pasco community.

Tracy Bonnett, currently assistant principal at Shady Hills Elementary School, is slated to take over the school on Oct. 3, pending board approval.

Bonnett, 43, has been a Pasco teacher and administrator since 2000. She played a key role in helping Shady Hills Elementary through its time sharing space with Crews Lake Middle and then transitioning back to its rebuilt campus in 2015.