Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administrative Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Escambia school board confirms slate of administrative appointments; several appointees introduced to the board
Summary
The school board approved a slate of administrative appointments and reappointments, introducing new principals and assistant principals and approving reappointments with a pair of abstentions noted on pulled items.
The Escambia County School Board confirmed a slate of administrative appointments and reappointments at its June 2025 meeting, welcoming newly appointed principals and assistant principals and approving the district’s reappointment slate with certain items pulled for separate votes.
Why it matters: Administrative appointments shape school leadership for the coming year; the newly named principals and assistant principals will be responsible for running individual schools through the fall opening and the 2025–26 school year.
What the board approved and who was introduced The board approved the administrative appointments by a recorded show‑of‑hands vote (5‑0 on the full slate after some items were pulled for separate action). Superintendent Leonard introduced multiple appointments and reassignments during the meeting, including: - Brianna Cooks — moving from curriculum coordinator at Jim Allen Elementary to assistant principal at Jim Allen Elementary. - Rodney Drish — incoming assistant principal at Ernest L. Gorrie/Ernest Lohr Middle School (described as recruited from outside the district). - Latrice Garner — from curriculum coordinator at Navy Point Elementary to assistant principal at West Pensacola Elementary. - Stephanie Gilmore — newly assigned principal at MacArthur Elementary (previously elementary assistant principal at Jim Allen). - Joshua Jackson — named principal at Ferry Pass Middle School (previously middle school assistant principal at Bailey Middle School). - Holly Shumpert — to be coordinator of the International Baccalaureate program at Pensacola High School (recognition to occur in July). - Emily Watford — moving from specialist in the school transformation office to elementary assistant principal at OJ Sims Elementary School.
Several appointees addressed the board briefly and thanked district leaders. Brianna Cooks said she was “truly honored to accept the role of assistant principal” at Jim Allen; Latrice Garner and Stephanie Gilmore offered similar remarks about gratitude and commitment to students and families.
Reappointments and pulled votes The board approved the slate of reappointments but pulled two names for separate consideration. The record shows that the pulled individuals were taken up individually and approved, with abstentions recorded where conflicts of interest existed; one separate vote was recorded as approved 4‑0 with one board member abstaining because the appointee was a relative.
Process notes and next steps Board members and the superintendent discussed procedural matters such as motions and voting by show of hands when electronic voting was not functioning. No additional administrative actions beyond the appointments and routine consent items were recorded in the meeting minutes.
Ending: The board closed the appointments portion of its agenda after the introductions and votes; the newly appointed leaders will begin duties as posted by human resources and before the fall term.
