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Many Tampa Bay schools debut new principals for 2021-22. Here’s who they are.

Recent appointments bring fresh leadership to schools in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties.
 
Students at Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School in Seminole work to assemble beds for kids who do not have a place to sleep. Jacobson is one of many local schools that will start the 2021-22 academic year with a new principal.
Students at Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School in Seminole work to assemble beds for kids who do not have a place to sleep. Jacobson is one of many local schools that will start the 2021-22 academic year with a new principal. [ SCOTT KEELER | Times ]
Published July 30, 2021|Updated Aug. 2, 2021

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 | Click to scroll down for more

Sometimes schools need stability and longevity, other times the situation calls for a fresh start.

Every year, school districts assess whether their campuses have the right leaders in the right places. Sometimes, a principal’s retirement requires a replacement. Whatever the reasons, changes at the top are a regular occurrence in area schools.

As the 2021-22 school year approaches, here is a look at Tampa Bay’s newly appointed principals:

Hillsborough County

Alonso High: James P. Harris, 45. Last job: Assistant principal, Alonso. Joined the school district in 1999.

James P. Harris, Alonso High
James P. Harris, Alonso High [ Hillsborough County School District ]
• • •

Bing Elementary: Kimberly Cook, 51. Last job: Assistant principal, Essrig Elementary. Joined the district in 2007.

Kimberly Cook, Bing Elementary [Hillsborough County School District]
Kimberly Cook, Bing Elementary [Hillsborough County School District]
• • •

Brooker Elementary: Heidi Koplin, 46. Last job: Assistant principal, Mintz Elementary. Joined the district in 2019.

Heidi Koplin, Brooker Elementary
Heidi Koplin, Brooker Elementary [ Twitter ]
• • •

Buckhorn Elementary: Tara Horn, 45. Last job: Assistant principal, Buckhorn Elementary. Joined the district in 2003.

Tara Horn, Buckhorn Elementary
Tara Horn, Buckhorn Elementary [ Facebook ]
• • •

Burney Elementary: Brooke Quinlan, 40. Last job: Assistant principal, Foster Elementary. Joined the district in 2004.

• • •

Greco Middle: Wendy Rauld, 39. Last job: Assistant principal, Greco Middle. Joined the district in 2008.

Wendy Rauld, Greco Middle
Wendy Rauld, Greco Middle [ Twitter ]
• • •

Hunter’s Green Elementary: Nicole Libby, 38. Last job: Assistant principal, Clark Elementary. Joined the district in 2007.

Nicole Libby, Hunter's Green Elementary
Nicole Libby, Hunter's Green Elementary [ Hillsborough County School District ]
• • •

Jackson Elementary: Melody Murphy, 57. Last job: Principal, Riverview Elementary. Joined the district in 1990.

Melody Murphy, Jackson Elementary
Melody Murphy, Jackson Elementary [ YouTube ]
• • •

Kingswood Elementary: Carmen Sheffield, 42. Last job: Assistant principal, Kenly Elementary. Joined the district in 2004.

Carmen Sheffield, Kingswood Elementary
Carmen Sheffield, Kingswood Elementary [ Twitter ]
• • •

Lamb Elementary: Kenya Griffin. Last job: Principal, Duval County Public Schools. Joined the district in 2021.

Kenya Griffin, Lamb Elementary [Courtesy of Kenya Griffin]
Kenya Griffin, Lamb Elementary [Courtesy of Kenya Griffin]
• • •

Lockhart Elementary: Natalie Corsanico, 42. Last job: Assistant principal, DeSoto Elementary. Joined the district in 2007.

Natalie Corsanico, Lockhart Elementary
Natalie Corsanico, Lockhart Elementary [ Twitter ]
• • •

Lomax Elementary: Sarah Jacobsen Capps, 51. Last job: Principal, Woodbridge Elementary. Joined the district in 1993.

Sarah Jacobsen Capps, Lomax Elementary
Sarah Jacobsen Capps, Lomax Elementary [ YouTube ]
• • •

Lopez Elementary: Zemenaye Harris, 38. Last job: Assistant principal. B.T. Washington Elementary. Joined the district in 2008.

Zemenaye Harris, Lopez Elementary
Zemenaye Harris, Lopez Elementary [ Twitter ]
• • •

Lutz K-8: Joshua Phillips, 35. Last job: Assistant principal, Maniscalco K-8. Joined the district in 2009.

Joshua Phillips, Lutz K-8
Joshua Phillips, Lutz K-8 [ Twitter ]
• • •

Madison Middle: David Parker, 36. Last job: Assistant principal, Buchanan Middle. Joined the district in 2011.

David Parker, Madison Middle
David Parker, Madison Middle [ Twitter ]
• • •

Mulrennan Middle: Tamara Brooks, 49. Last job: Principal, Buckhorn Elementary. Joined the district in 1997.

Tamara Brooks, Mulrennan Middle
Tamara Brooks, Mulrennan Middle [ Facebook ]
• • •

Riverview Elementary: Theresa Madill, 51. Last job: Assistant principal, Riverview Elementary. Joined the district in 1995.

Theresa Madill, Riverview Elementary
Theresa Madill, Riverview Elementary [ Hillsborough County School District ]
• • •

Riverview High: Brian Spiro, 35. Last job: Supervisor. Assessment and Accountability. Joined the district in 2011.

Brian Spiro, Riverview High
Brian Spiro, Riverview High [ Hillsborough County School District ]
• • •

Robles Elementary: Wallace Selph, formerly of Polk County.

Wallace Selph, Robles Elementary
Wallace Selph, Robles Elementary [ Hillsborough County School District ]
• • •

Roosevelt Elementary: Denise Wheatley, 57. Last job: Interim principal, Roosevelt Elementary. Joined the district in 2002.

Denise Wheatley, Roosevelt Elementary
Denise Wheatley, Roosevelt Elementary [ Twitter ]
• • •

Shields Middle: Deanna Fisher, 42. Last job: Assistant principal, Sumner High. Joined the district in 2003.

Deanna Fisher, Shields Middle
Deanna Fisher, Shields Middle [ Twitter ]
• • •

Tampa Heights Elementary: Melanie Hill Anderson. Last job: Principal, Bing Elementary. Joined the district in 1999.

Melanie Hill Anderson, Tampa Heights Elementary
Melanie Hill Anderson, Tampa Heights Elementary [ Hillsborough County School District ]
• • •

West Shore Elementary: Skylaar Guyer, 51. Last job: Assistant principal, Lanier Elmentary. Joined the district in 2012.

Skylaar Guyer, West Shore Elementary
Skylaar Guyer, West Shore Elementary [ Hillsborough County School District ]
• • •

Woodbridge Elementary: Ana “Victoria” Morse, 50. Last job: Assistant principal, Bryant Elementary. Joined the district in 2001.

Ana "Victoria" Morse, Woodbridge Elementary
Ana "Victoria" Morse, Woodbridge Elementary [ Twitter ]

Pinellas County

Bayside High: Konrad McCree, 36, formerly assistant principal at Lealman Innovation Academy. McCree began his career in Pinellas County Schools in 2014. He replaces Dawn Coffin, who retired.

Konrad McCree, Bayside High
Konrad McCree, Bayside High [ Times (2014) ]
• • •

Boca Ciega High: Jennifer Gil, 40, formerly assistant principal at Hollins High. In her 16th year with the Pinellas school district. Gil replaces Michael Vigue, who was promoted to area superintendent.

Jennifer Gil, Boca Ciega High
Jennifer Gil, Boca Ciega High [ Pinellas County Schools ]
• • •

Clearwater High: Eric Krause, 42, formerly Clearwater High assistant principal, was promoted to run the campus. He replaces Keith Mastorides, who was named director of district technology information services. Krause joined the district in 2007.

Eric Krause, Clearwater High
Eric Krause, Clearwater High [ Pinellas County Schools ]
• • •

Richard O. Jacobson Technical High: Joshua Wolfenden, 46, an assistant principal at the school, was promoted to principal. Wolfenden, who has worked in the district since 2000, replaces Martha Giancola, who was reassigned.

Joshua Wolfenden, Richard O. Jacobson Technical High
Joshua Wolfenden, Richard O. Jacobson Technical High [ Pinellas County Schools ]
• • •

Frontier Elementary: Gina Owens, 40, formerly assistant principal at Belcher Elementary, was named principal of Frontier Elementary. She replaces Heather Peters.

Gina Owens, Frontier Elementary
Gina Owens, Frontier Elementary [ Pinellas County Schools ]
• • •

Douglas B. Jamerson Elementary: Heather Peters, 46, formerly principal at Frontier Elementary, transferred to become principal at Jamerson. She replaces Brandie Williams-Macon, who transferred to Lynch Elementary.

Heather Peters, Jamerson Elementary [Pinellas County Schools]
Heather Peters, Jamerson Elementary [Pinellas County Schools]
• • •

Gulfport Elementary: Ashlea Zeller, formerly principal at Terwilliger Elementary in Gainesville, was named principal at Gulfport. She replaces Wendy Bryan, who retired.

Ashlea Zeller, Gulfport Elementary
Ashlea Zeller, Gulfport Elementary [ Gainesville Sun ]
• • •

Garrison-Jones Elementary: Jennifer Tapia, formerly director of teaching and learning in West Chicago School District 33, was named principal at Garrison-Jones Elementary. She replaces Karen Buckles, who retired.

Jennifer Tapia, Garrison-Jones Elementary
Jennifer Tapia, Garrison-Jones Elementary [ Twitter ]
• • •

North Shore Elementary: Heidi Bockover-Goldstein, 54, formerly assistant principal at Lakeview Fundamental, was named principal at North Shore Elementary. She replaces Wilhemina Dawson, who retired.

Heidi Bockover-Goldstein, North Shore Elementary
Heidi Bockover-Goldstein, North Shore Elementary [ Pinellas County Schools ]

Pasco County

Trinity Oaks Elementary: Melissa Jarvis, 46, formerly assistant principal of Mary Giella Elementary, was named principal at Trinity Oaks. She replaces Allison Hoskins, who transferred to lead Odessa Elementary.

Melissa Jarvis,Trinity Oaks Elementary
Melissa Jarvis,Trinity Oaks Elementary [ Pasco County School District ]
• • •

Seven Springs Elementary: Jimmy Rodriguez, 36, previously principal of the Schwettman Education Center, was appointed principal at Seven Springs Elementary. He replaces Todd Cluff, who retired.

Jimmy Rodriguez, Seven Springs Elementary
Jimmy Rodriguez, Seven Springs Elementary [ Pasco County School District ]
• • •

Starkey Ranch K-8: Cortney Gantt, 45, was appointed to lead Pasco County’s newest school, which opens in August. Gantt was principal at Seven Springs Middle School.

Hernando County

D.S. Parrott Middle: Chris Clifford, formerly assistant principal at Central High, was named to head Parrott Middle. In his 17th year with the district, Clifford replaces Ed LaRose.

Chris Clifford, D.S. Parrott Middle School
Chris Clifford, D.S. Parrott Middle School [ Hernando County School District ]
• • •

Weeki Wachee High: Ed LaRose, formerly principal of D. S. Parrott Middle, was named to lead Weeki Wachee High. In his 17th year with the district, LaRose replaces Troy LaBarbara, who was named district director of exceptional student education.

Ed LaRose, Weeki Wachee High [Hernando County School District]
Ed LaRose, Weeki Wachee High [Hernando County School District]
• • •

More back-to-school coverage

A NEW START: Masks will be voluntary and activities will return, but the pandemic is still with us.

GETTING A SHOT: Most area school districts send a strong message to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

LESSONS LEARNED: The pandemic forced schools to take a more digital approach. Some of it will stay.

HOW WE’RE FEELING: Tampa Bay parents and kids talk about the school year ahead.

DISCOUNT DAYS: This year’s back-to-school tax “holiday” lasts 10 days.

GETTING READY: From supply giveaways to festivals, a look at back-to-school events around the area.

SIGNING UP: Registering a child for school for the first time can involve many steps. What you need to know.

MARK THE DATE: Highlights of the 2021-22 school year in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties.

BY THE NUMBERS: Tampa Bay’s four public school districts at a glance.