DMPS Announces New Principal Assignments for 2014-15
Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to announce that several veteran educators in the district are taking on new principal assignments starting with the 2014-15 school year. The new assignments announced today are for Hoover High School, Callanan and Goodrell middle schools, and Carver, Jackson, Monroe and South Union elementary schools.
“We are fortunate to have so many experienced and talented educators within our district to fill key school building leadership roles,” said Superintendent Tom Ahart. “All of these principals have a track record of focusing on academics and working closely with our students, teachers and families in order to keep our schools moving forward.”
All seven principals will officially begin their new roles on July 1, although each will be working on a transition plan with their new schools between now and then. Additional information on each new principal and school is as follows:
HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL
Cindy Flesch, currently the principal at Meredith Middle School, will become the principal at Hoover High School. She will replace Doug Wheeler, who will become the superintendent of Saydel Public Schools. Hoover is located at 4800 Aurora Avenue and serves more than 960 high school students. Hoover and Meredith are physically connected, and both schools are working together to become accredited to offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years program.
CALLANAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Dawn Stahly, currently the principal at Goodrell Middle School, will become the principal at Callanan Middle School. She will replace Doug Callaway, who will become the new vice principal at Roosevelt High School. Callanan is located at 3010 Center Street and serves approximately 620 students in grades 6-8.
GOODRELL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Craig Leager, currently the principal at Walnut Street School, will become the principal at Goodrell Middle School. He will replace Dawn Stahly, who is moving to Callanan Middle School. Goodrell is located at 3300 E. 29th Street and serves nearly 620 students in grades 6-8. Both Goodrell and Walnut Street schools are International Baccalaureate schools.
CARVER COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Jill Burnett-Requist, currently the principal at River Woods Elementary School, will become the principal at Carver Community School. She will replace Cecil Brewton, who is retiring. Carver is located at 705 E. University and serves more than 625 students in grades PK-5.
JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Cindy Wissler, currently the principal at Monroe Elementary School, will become the principal at Jackson Elementary School. She will replace Dee Culp, who is retiring. Jackson is located at 3825 Indianola Avenue and serves nearly 420 students in grades K-5.
MONROE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Laurel Prior-Sweet, currently the principal at Phillips Traditional School, will become the principal at Monroe Elementary School. She will replace Cindy Wissler, who is moving to Jackson Elementary School. Monroe is located at 3015 Francis Avenue and serves more than 550 students in grades K-5.
SOUTH UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Bill Szakacs, currently the principal at Lovejoy Elementary School, will become the principal at South Union Elementary School. He will replace Constance VandeKrol, who is retiring. South Union is located at 4201 South Union Street and serves more than 560 students in grades K-5.
In addition, partly as the result of the new assignments announced above, Des Moines Public Schools is currently in the search and interview process for principals at Meredith Middle School as well as Findley, Lovejoy, Phillips River Woods and Walnut Street elementary schools.
