A year of frequent staffing announcements continues this week for Flagler Schools, as Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt now moves to make three new principal appointments, as well as two to director positions. A middle school, an elementary school, and Flagler’s one virtual school have a new principal at the helm, and the departments of student services and transportation now have new directors. The new appointments are as follows:
- Student Services director – Marquez Jackson
- Transportation director – Dontarrious Rowls
- iFlagler principal – Erin Quinn
- Indian Trails Middle School principal – Ryan Andrews
- Rymfire Elementary School principal – Travis Lee
Back in April, Flagler Palm Coast High School appointed Greg Schwartz as its own new principal, succeeding the late James T. Russell, who passed away from a COVID-19 infection in December. Bobby Bossardet had served as FPCHS principal in the interim.
Directors
Marquez Jackson, set to be recommended by Mittelstadt for Student Services director, is an educator of over 20 years with experience in North Carolina and Florida. His education background includes a bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M and a master’s degree from East Carolina University. Most recently, he’s worked as the principal of Crookshank Elementary School in St. Augustine the last four years.
Of Jackson’s appointment, Mittelstadt said: “Marquez Jackson will be a valuable asset to our school administrators, students, and families as he guides our Student Services team. He is a devoted educator, who wants every student to succeed.” Jackson shared his excitement upon learning he’d been selected for the post: “I am super excited to join the Flagler County Schools Family as the Director of Student Services! Over the course of my 23 years in education, I have served as a high school math teacher, adjunct college instructor, middle school assistant principal, high school assistant principal, district coordinator for school services/facilities planning and growth management, PK-8th grade principal, and elementary school principal. The majority of my career has been in the service of Title I schools.”
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Dontarrious Rowls comes from a role as Assistant Director of Transportation and Fleet Services in the School District of Osceola County, located near Orlando. He also worked in safety training in Leon County’s school district, and he holds a master’s degree from Saint Leo University. He is a doctoral candidate at Virginia University Lynchburg in Healthcare Administration and Organizational Management. “Don Rowls has filled a variety of positions in the transportation field, each with successive degrees of responsibility,” Superintendent Mittelstadt said. “I am excited to see how he enacts his vision for our Transportation Department. I am confident he will be an asset to Flagler Schools, far beyond the transportation compound.”
Principals
Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt speaks at the memorial of James T. Russell, the late FPCHS principal, in Daytona Beach. ⓒ AskFlagler
Erin Quinn, the appointee for iFlagler principal, is an in-district promotion. Quinn has already been serving as the assistant principal of the district’s flagship virtual education program for some time, and now prepares to step into the principal position. Says Mittelstadt: “Under Erin’s leadership, iFlagler was twice recognized as the best small district Florida Virtual School franchise in the state. Almost overnight, Erin saw iFlagler’s enrollment swell to one of the largest campuses in our district last year. She was able to quickly identify the needs of the program, the teachers, and students and met those challenges head-on.”
Quinn is an FPCHS graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She was quick to share her excitement, stating “I am honored and excited to have been chosen as the next principal of iFlagler Virtual and the Alternative Programs. It is with extreme pride that I accept this new challenge and embrace the opportunity to collaborate with other district leaders. As a graduate of Flagler Schools myself, I welcome the chance to give back to the district and community that helped shape me.”
Ryan Andrews is a 16-year employee, with a bachelor’s degree from Oswego State University and a master’s from NOVA Southeastern University. “When we asked the faculty at Indian Trails what they wanted to see in their next leader,” Mittelstadt said. “They wanted someone who could develop great relationships with students and families. Ryan has shown he can do that during his time as an assistant principal at ITMS.”
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On his new appointment: “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of Indian Trails’ legacy of success. The ITMS faculty and staff are made up of dedicated professionals who are amazing at what they do. I will continue to devote myself to our school to ensure we deliver the best instruction and support to our scholars and families. We have a tremendous support network for our school and I am confident that ITMS will continue to be a School of Excellence for years to come! Go Mustangs!”
Lastly, Travis Lee is set to become principal at Rymfire Elementary School after serving as assistant principal for some six years. A 17-year employee in Flagler Schools, Lee has a bachelor from Florida A&M University, and a master’s from NOVA Southeastern University. “Travis has grown tremendously as an administrator under the leadership of LaShakia Moore,” Mittelstadt said. “I am confident that not only will he continue the great programs already established at RES, but will grow them as well.” Lee added in response to his promotion, “I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to lead Rymfire Elementary into this next chapter. I look forward to working with our students, families, and the great staff we have at Rymfire as we all work together to raise student achievement.”
Cathy Mittelstadt is set to present these recommendations to the Flagler County School Board on June 30th.
