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Schools

Superintendent shifts duties of 3 educators

Among the moves announced by superintendent Sandra "Sam" Himmel is the district's coordinator of programs for at-risk students to a principal role.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Published March 31, 2005

INVERNESS - The shuffling of school district administrators continued Wednesday with the announcement that three employees will take new positions.

Starting next school year, Citrus Springs Middle School principal Bill Farrell will lead Inverness Middle School. Inverness Middle principal Cindy Staten is retiring at the end of June.

Dave Stephens, who has served since 2003 as the district's coordinator of programs for at-risk students, will move to the principal's job at Citrus Springs Middle.

And Mark Klauder, now assistant principal at Inverness Middle, will be the new coordinator of secondary education. He replaces Roberta "Bobbie" Dilocker, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

These are just the latest high-profile moves that new superintendent Sandra "Sam" Himmel has announced. Last month, she announced that three elementary school principals would shuffle schools in the new school year: Patrick Simon from Pleasant Grove Elementary to Citrus Springs Elementary, Cicely Thomas from Citrus Springs to Lecanto Primary School and Robert Snider from Lecanto to Pleasant Grove.

"I see great things happening," Himmel said. "I think that every move we have made are with strong administrators and all of their strengths will carry to their new assignments."

Farrell, 52, has been principal at Citrus Springs Middle since 2001 and has been in the district for 18 years. He previously served as assistant principal at Citrus Springs Middle.

Himmel said Farrell is skilled at improving the academic skills of lower-achieving students. "He's shown good student gains," she said. "He's got that skill in place. And Bill is a real good team builder."

Stephens, 49, had previously worked as assistant principal at Citrus Springs and has 16 years in the school district. Himmel said he is well-suited for the job.

"That's going to be a good transition for the staff and the students," Himmel said.

Himmel said she is looking to revamp Stephens' old job, coordinator of programs for at-risk students. There are several positions at the district office that she has said she wants to adjust.

Klauder, 45, has 24 years in the school district and "a strong background in science, which is another big push on FCAT," Himmel said.

In separate action Wednesday, the School Board accepted the retirements of two top officials at the Withlacoochee Technical Institute: director Sam Stiteler and assistant director Jimmie Bryant.

The board also appointed Nancy Haynes as the new coordinator of exceptional student education, effective the beginning of next school year.

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at 564-3621 or behrendt@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 31, 2005, 01:27:20]