The Volusia County School Board on July 29 approved a slate of administrative appointments and internal transfers, including several principal and coordinator assignments. The board voted unanimously on each appointment listed on the agenda.

Appointments approved included Rakenya Hinson as the district’s coordinator of nursing services (effective July 30, 2025); Kimberly Feltner as principal of Highbanks Learning Center (effective June 30, 2025); Melissa Diamond as assistant principal at Orange City Elementary (effective July 30, 2025); and Lindsay Ramos as assistant principal at River Springs Middle School (effective July 30, 2025). The superintendent also announced administrative transfers such as Jay Strother from special schools principal at Highbanks Learning Center to coordinator of student services and Alita Sue Hopkins from Coordinator of ESE to ESE Assistant Principal at New Smyrna Beach Middle School.

Board procedure change and presentations: Board members noted a recent change to meeting practice that reduces board member remarks during appointment introductions; the superintendent read candidate backgrounds and introduced each appointee. Several board members offered brief congratulatory remarks before votes. Appointees who accepted their assignments addressed the board briefly and thanked board members and colleagues.

Why it matters: These personnel moves reassign experienced administrators across the district and place leaders in schools serving varied student needs, including specialized programs such as Highbanks Learning Center and River Springs Middle. The superintendent summarized candidates’ qualifications such as degrees, certifications and prior district roles during the public introductions.

Decision detail: Each appointment was approved on the consent agenda or by motion during the meeting. The board recorded unanimous approval for the named appointments.

Ending: The communications team will coordinate photos and announcements; board staff said future appointment presentations will follow a revised meeting sequence (consent action before public introductions) and that in‑person appearances by appointees are optional and may be handled with standardized photos through communications if the appointee prefers not to travel to the boardroom.