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Schools

Familiar face chosen as principal of Deltona Elementary

Assistant principal Beverly Chapin will replace Janet Dunleavy, who is retiring.

By ABHI RAGHUNATHAN
Published May 27, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - Deltona Elementary School's new principal probably will not require much time to settle in. After all, she helped open the school after joining it in 1990 and has helped run it for the past four years.

Superintendent Wendy Tellone has selected assistant principal Beverly Chapin, 52, as Deltona's new principal. She will replace current principal Janet Dunleavy, 56, who is retiring after running Deltona since July 1989, according to Dunleavy's personnel file.

Dunleavy also served as principal of Spring Hill Elementary in 1988 and 1989. She did not respond to a request for comment.

District spokesman Roy Gordon said Chapin beat out two other candidates for the job. He said Chapin's experience in the county's schools helped her win the position.

Chapin agreed.

"The staff would like us to have continuity," said Chapin, who holds a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of South Florida. She joined Deltona 15 years ago as an elementary curriculum specialist.

"I have a deep desire to serve," she said.

A little more than 1,000 students are enrolled at Deltona, which is located in fast-growing Spring Hill. The school is known for its Los Sabitos program, which offers Spanish immersion classes for young children.

Chapin said she would like to expand the Los Sabitos program, perhaps by offering more Spanish immersion classes at certain grade levels where demand has risen. Last year, school officials expanded the program to kindergarten classes.

"There's a real need in our community," Chapin said. "We're seeing an increasing number of families who (want their kids to) know two languages and other families who would like their children to learn a third language."

Chapin first joined Hernando schools in 1982 at Spring Hill Elementary. She later worked at Moton Elementary School and as an ESOL coordinator at district headquarters.

[Last modified May 27, 2005, 00:40:18]