The St. Johns County School District has announced a series of major leadership changes effective July 1, as shared by incoming Superintendent Brendan Asplen in an email to staff.
Among the most significant district-level changes:
- Mr. Paul Abbatinozzi, previously Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services, will now serve as Chief of Staff.
- Dr. Kyle Dresback will become Deputy Superintendent of Operations, moving from his role as Regional Superintendent for Secondary and Alternative Schools.
- Mr. Wayne King, formerly Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, will assume the position of Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources.
- Mrs. Dawn Sapp, currently Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, will serve as Deputy Superintendent for Academics, also taking on leadership of the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and Accountability and Intervention Services departments.
- Mr. Guy Harris, moving from his role as Director of Student Services, will become the new Associate Superintendent for Student Support Services, succeeding Mr. Abbatinozzi.
- Dr. Dearmas Graham, previously Senior Director for Accountability and Intervention Services, will now serve as Senior Director of Student Services.
At the school level:
- Mr. Jay Willets, Principal of Tocoi Creek High School, has been named Regional Superintendent for Secondary and Alternative Schools, succeeding Dr. Dresback.
- Mrs. Kelly Jacobsen, Principal of Fruit Cove Middle School, will take the helm at Tocoi Creek High School.
- Ms. Angela Hensley, Assistant Principal at Pedro Menendez High School, will become Principal of Fruit Cove Middle School.
- Mr. Steve Sanzo, Assistant Principal at St. Johns Technical High School, will now serve as the school’s Principal.
- Mr. Craig Davis, currently Principal of Gaines/Transitions, will step into the newly defined role of Investigations Specialist for the district.
- Ms. Tish McMahon, Assistant Principal at Crookshank Elementary, will become Principal at Gaines/Transitions.
“I have the utmost confidence in these amazing leaders to take on these new roles and am excited about the upcoming school year with these changes in our leadership structure,” Asplen said. “Please join me in congratulating them and know that they are here to support you and our students to be successful.”
Human Resources is working to fill all vacancies resulting from the shuffle.
