New Leadership Takes Charge in Leon County Schools

News Summary

Leon County Schools are set for a fresh academic year with new leadership at several institutions. Key appointments have been made in schools including Sabal Palm Community Partnership School, SAIL High School, Canopy Oaks, and Nims Middle School. These changes aim to enhance educational experiences and promote community engagement while addressing recent safety concerns in schools. As optimistic times lie ahead, each principal brings diverse experience and visions for their respective schools.

New Leadership Takes Charge in Leon County Schools!

Exciting changes are underway as four Leon County public schools gear up for a fresh start in the upcoming school year! The school board held a meeting recently, announcing several key appointments that are sure to impact the educational landscape in our community.

Meet the New Faces at Sabal Palm Community Partnership School

First up, there’s a new principal stepping into the role at Sabal Palm Community Partnership School. Latoyer Hankerson has been appointed to take the helm, replacing the well-respected Shannon Davis. With a solid background as a reading coach at Bond Elementary and experience with the Florida Department of Education’s school improvement team, Hankerson is set to bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the school. As for Davis, the beloved principal has spent five years in the role, with three as assistant principal and two as principal. She will transition to Hawks Rise Elementary as the new assistant principal, a role sure to benefit from her extensive experience.

SAIL High School Welcomes Rhonda Blackwell-Flanagan

Another significant change comes at SAIL High School, where Rhonda Blackwell-Flanagan steps up as principal, taking over from Matt Roberson. With a notable career as a longtime educator, Blackwell-Flanagan has previously served as assistant principal at Godby High School and held the position of principal at Hartsfield Elementary from 2017 to 2022. Roberson has been at the forefront of SAIL High for over four years. Now, he is moving on to a new role as the district’s career and technical education coordinator.

Promotion Time at Canopy Oaks and Astoria Park

Looking ahead to Canopy Oaks, there’s a fresh promotion in line! Clayton Cloud, the assistant principal at Sealey Elementary, will be stepping up into the principal position. He takes over from Staci Morthan, who has decided to return to her roots in teaching. Meanwhile, Astoria Park Elementary School will welcome Orande McKhan as the new principal, following his role as assistant principal at Pineview Elementary for the last six years. McKhan’s background includes teaching at Oak Ridge Elementary and acting as a guidance counselor at Gilchrist Elementary.

Changes at Nims Middle School

Another pivotal change is occurring at Nims Middle School, where the impressive Benny Bolden has successfully led the school to an academic turnaround, earning it a remarkable B rating for the first time in its history. Bolden will depart for a new position as divisional director within the Leon County School District’s central office. This move comes after he expressed interest in advancing professionally. His new responsibilities will focus on overseeing student activities across the district, including arts and athletic programs. Deshone Hedrington, a former assistant principal at Leon High School, will be taking over as principal at Nims Middle School.

Responding to Recent Concerns

In addition to the leadership changes, the Leon County School District is proactively addressing recent reports regarding potential threats in schools. A conference call was convened, involving all high and middle school principals and local sheriffs to discuss these concerns. Local authorities will be taking serious measures against anyone making threats, ensuring the safety of students and staff throughout the district.

Looking Ahead

As we welcome these new leaders into our schools, we can be optimistic about the direction they’ll take our educational community. Each new principal brings unique experiences and insights that will undoubtedly foster growth and facilitate a better learning environment for our students. Here’s to an exciting year ahead in Leon County!