MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Public Schools will begin the 2026-27 school year with new leadership at several schools and district departments following a series of administrative appointments announced by Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer.
District officials said seven schools will welcome new principals when students return in August, while additional principal appointments announced earlier this year and several district-level leadership changes will also take effect following board approval.
Elementary Schools
Belleview Elementary School will be led by Rebekah Winkler, who becomes principal after serving as assistant principal at Oakcrest Elementary School.
Victoria Thompson will transfer from Belleview Elementary to become principal of Dunnellon Elementary School. This marks her second appointment as a principal.
Connie Carpenter, formerly assistant principal at Lake Weir Middle School, was announced as the new principal of Belleview-Santos Elementary School.
Tracy Moody, formerly assistant principal at Fordham Early Learning Academy, has been named principal of the school.
Cindy Lowe, previously assistant principal at Hillcrest, has been appointed principal.
Ryan Bennett will become principal of South Ocala Elementary after serving as principal at Eighth Street Elementary School. Bennett has also served as principal at Anthony Elementary, Madison Street Academy and Shady Hill Elementary School.
Susan Williams, formerly assistant principal at Ross Prairie Elementary School, has been selected as principal of Sunrise Elementary School.
Middle Schools
Katy Owen will become principal of Fort King Middle School after serving as assistant principal at Vanguard High School.
Terrell Davis has been named principal of Liberty Middle School after transferring from his role as assistant principal at West Port High School.
Dr. Dion Gary, who previously served as principal of Forest High School and Belleview Middle School, has been appointed principal of Howard Middle School.
Stephanie Collins, formerly assistant principal North Marion Middle School, has been named principal of the school.
Renee Johnson, principal of Osceola Middle School, will also oversee Eighth Street Elementary School, which shares the same campus.
High Schools and Specialty Schools
Erika Wiggins has been named principal of Dunnellon High School after transferring from her role as principal of Dunnellon Elementary School. This is her second principal appointment.
Chris Carlisle will return as principal of Forest High School after serving in Employment Services. This is his second principal appointment.
Wade Martin will become principal of Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks after serving as principal of Dunnellon High School. This is his second principal appointment.
District Leadership Changes
Eric Ostanik has been named director of Construction Services after serving as supervisor of Transportation.
Dr. Anissa Brockington will become director of Employment Services after previously serving as director of Talent Management.
Rebekah Cook has been appointed K-12 Multiple-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) coordinator. She previously served as principal of Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks.
Dr. Diana Elysee has been appointed coordinator of Multilingual Learner Programs. She previously served as principal of South Oaks Elementary School.
Suzette Parker has been named director of Talent Management. During her career with Marion County Public Schools, she has served as principal of Howard Middle School, East Marion Elementary School, Romeo Elementary School and Osceola Middle School.
Stanley Jacobs has been appointed transportation supervisor after transferring from the Student Assignment and Records Department.
According to Marion County Public Schools, the appointments become official following approval by the Marion County School Board.
