Frederick County Public Schools announces numerous administrative, principal and assistant principal appointments, most of which are effective July 1, 2022. Personnel appointments remain subject to change based on the evolving needs of the school system.
Director of Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation, Scott Murphy was appointed following the retirement of Dr. George Seaton. Murphy comes to FCPS from Montgomery County Public Schools, where he served in a variety of leadership positions during more than two decades. Since 2020, he has served as director of college and career readiness of districtwide programs. He has also served as director of secondary curriculum of districtwide programs. In MCPS, he was also principal of both Watkins Mill High and William H. Farquhar Middle. Murphy received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and History from Muhlenberg College and his Master of Education in Special Education from Southern Louisiana University. In addition, he received his Post-Graduate Certificate (Administrator I and II) in School Administration and Supervision from Loyola College in Maryland.
Supervisor of Community School Programs, Dr. DeVeda Coley will transfer from Spring Ridge Elementary where she was principal. Previously, she was principal at Twin Ridge and North Frederick Elementary Schools and assistant principal at Hillcrest Elementary. She began her teaching career at FCPS as an elementary teacher at South Frederick Elementary. Dr. Coley graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She earned a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Hood College in 2000 and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership in 2020. The supervisor of the community school program is a new position.
Supervisor of English Learners and International Office, Dr. Katherine Gull is promoted due to the retirement of Larry Steinly. Dr. Gull began her career in FCPS as an English Language Learner teacher at North Frederick Elementary School. She transferred to Spring Ridge Elementary, followed by a transfer to the Curriculum & Instruction Department as a teacher specialist. Dr. Gull was later promoted to achievement specialist in Accelerated Achievement & Equity. She received a Master’s Degree in Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from University of Maryland, College Park, and an Administrative Certificate from Hood College. In addition, she completed her Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from Hood College earlier this year. Dr. Gull currently serves in the role as coordinator of the English Learners program.
Supervisor of Local Assessment and Intervention, Kelly Denti is promoted due to the transfer of Kyle Barnette to the position of supervisor of student information. She began her FCPS teaching career as an English/Language Arts teacher at Oakdale Middle. Denti later transferred to West Frederick Middle, where she served as data coach and then literacy specialist. Since 2018, Denti has served as the coordinator of local assessment and intervention. She received a Bachelor’s degree in English from Frostburg State University and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from McDaniel College.
The following principal appointments will take effect for the 2022-2023 school year:
Brunswick High, Christopher Berry is transferring from Tuscarora High. He also served as principal and assistant principal at James Hubert Blake High School as well as the Arts and Humanities coordinator at Blake. Berry was a Social Studies resource teacher at Blake and Magruder high schools. He also served as a principal and assistant principal at Magruder High. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and Public Policy, and History from Bethany College and a Master of Science Degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University. Current principal Dr. Michael Dillman is transferring to Linganore High.
Linganore High, Dr. Michael Dillman is transferring from Brunswick High. He was assistant principal at Linganore High and Tuscarora High as well as an English teacher at Gov. Thomas Johnson High. Dr. Dillman received both a Bachelor of Arts degree and secondary teaching certification and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Hood College. He also received his Doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership. Current principal Cindy Hanlon is transferring to Frederick County Virtual School.
New Market Elementary, Dr. Steve Lockard has been named the new principal, replacing Jason Bowser who transferred to Spring Ridge Elementary. Since 2018, Dr. Lockard has served as Superintendent of Carroll County Public Schools. He has served as principal at both Brunswick Elementary and Tuscarora Elementary and as assistant principal at New Market, Deer Crossing and Spring Ridge elementary schools. Dr. Lockard also served in many roles at FCPS Central Office, including Deputy Superintendent. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Frostburg University and a Master of Science degree in School Administration from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College). In addition, he holds Administrative I & II certificates.
Oakdale High, William (Bill) Caulfield is promoted from assistant principal at Walkersville High. He will replace Lisa Smith who is transferring to Tuscarora High. Caulfield began his career with FCPS as a Social Studies teacher at Gov. Thomas Johnson High. He was later promoted to assistant principal at Oakdale High. Caulfield received a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies Education with a history emphasis and minor in math from Mansfield University and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Hood College. In addition, he holds Administrative I & II Certificates.
Parkway Elementary, John Ridenour is promoted from acting principal. He was an assistant principal at Lincoln, Middletown and Hillcrest Elementary Schools. Ridenour replaces Nicole Bell, who transferred to FCPS Central Office. Ridenour began his career with FCPS as an elementary teacher at Green Valley Elementary and later transferred to Thurmont Elementary and Lincoln Elementary. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University and a Master of Science degree in Education Leadership from Hood College. In addition, he holds Administrative I & II Certificates.
Spring Ridge Elementary, Jason Bowser is transferring from New Market Elementary. He has also worked at Valley Elementary as principal and as an assistant elementary school principal at Oakdale, Waverley, and Hillcrest. Bowser was an elementary school teacher at Tuscarora, Brunswick and Spring Ridge. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education in 1997 from Frostburg and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Hood College in 2008. Current principal Dr. DeVeda Coley is transferring to the position of supervisor of Community School Programs.
Tuscarora High, Lisa Smith is transferring from Oakdale High. She was a Social Studies teacher at Linganore High followed by teacher specialist at Tuscarora High. Smith was promoted to assistant principal at Tuscarora High. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and secondary education Social Studies from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Hood College. Current principal Christopher Berry is transferring to Brunswick High.
Wolfsville Elementary, John Veronie, who serves as acting principal at Sabillasville Elementary, replaces Linda Stuart, who retired. Veronie began his career with FCPS in 2001 as a teacher at Brunswick Elementary and later at Oakdale Elementary. In 2009, he was promoted to assistant principal at Lincoln Elementary. He also served as assistant principal at Urbana and Waverley Elementary Schools. Veronie received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Hood College. In addition, he holds Administrative I & II Certificates.
The following schools will have new assistant principals, effective July 1:
Ballenger Creek Middle, Dr. Jeffrey Marker transfers from Western Heights Middle in Washington County.
Brunswick Elementary, Laura Davidson transfers from Middletown Elementary.
Brunswick High, Kelli Green transfers from Gov. Thomas Johnson High.
Crestwood Middle, Jason Hawk is promoted from Brunswick Middle where he is a Social Studies Teacher.
Frederick High, Donna Clabaugh transfers from FCPS Central Office.
Gov. Thomas Johnson High, William (Billy) Gross is promoted from acting assistant principal. Dr. Jennifer Harris transfers from Fairfax County Public Schools.
Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle, Matthew McVay transfers from Ballenger Creek Middle.
Linganore High, Erik Engelstatter transfers from Frederick High.
Middletown High, Stephanie Bittner transfers from Brunswick High.
Middletown Middle, Shabana Sayed is promoted from the Middle School Blended Virtual Program. Chelsea Skoczylas transfers from Windsor Knolls Middle.
Monocacy Elementary, Melissa Burton transfers from Brunswick Elementary.
Monocacy Middle, Derek Hoover-Beet transfers from Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle.
Oakdale Elementary, Lana Dayhoff is promoted from acting assistant principal.
Oakdale High, Brooke Hontz transfers from Middletown High.
Oakdale Middle, Toby Heusser is promoted from acting assistant principal.
Thurmont Middle, Christopher Bittner is promoted from Middletown Middle where he taught Social Studies.
Tuscarora High, Kevin Hall is promoted from acting assistant principal.
Urbana Elementary, David Migdal transfers from Whittier Elementary.
Walkersville Elementary, Heather Macauley transfers from Spring Ridge Elementary. Josalyn Moskowitz transfers from Hickory Elementary in Washington County.
Walkersville High, Jody Ratti transfers from Tuscarora High.
Walkersville Middle, Amy Newkirk transfers from Monocacy Middle.
Waverley Elementary, Sara Ajisafe transfers from the Elementary School Blended Virtual program.
Whittier Elementary, Jill Barnes transfers from Butterfly Ridge Elementary.
Windsor Knolls Middle, Tamara Lamberson transfers from Middletown Middle.
Yellow Springs Elementary, Lisa Wrzesinski transfers from Urbana Elementary.