Marion County Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer has announced principal changes at nine local schools for the upcoming school year that will impact approximately 7,000 students, as the district eliminates seven assistant principal positions among 54 total staff terminations.

The shuffle, which is pending approval from the Marion County School Board, is being driven primarily by a string of retirements and several administrators moving into district-level roles, according to a statement.

This year’s transition includes five first-time principals stepping into leadership roles at Belleview-Santos Elementary, Fordham Early Learning Academy, Hillcrest, North Marion Middle, and South Ocala Elementary.

Among the shifts is the return of Chris Carlisle as principal of Forest High School. Carlisle replaces Dr. Dion Gary, who is moving to lead Howard Middle School. Dr. Gary’s tenure at Forest High was relatively brief, having just taken the helm of the school in July 2025 during a similar leadership reorganization.

The move for Dr. Gary at Howard Middle fills the vacancy left by Suzette Parker, who is transitioning to the District Office. Similarly, Jennifer Beck (Fordham Early Learning Academy) and Dr. Diana Elysee (South Ocala Elementary) are also moving into district-level administrative roles.

These changes follow a massive restructuring in 2025, during which Superintendent Brewer oversaw leadership transitions at over a dozen schools, including the appointments of principals for the newly opened Ross Prairie and Winding Oaks elementary schools.

While the 2025 changes were largely focused on growth and filling vacancies, the 2026-2027 plan is set against a backdrop of tightening budgets.

According to the district, 54 positions were cut from the staffing plan earlier this year as a cost-savings measure. Continuing that effort, seven assistant principal positions have been eliminated from next year’s staffing plan through site-based budgeting.

The full list of principal changes effective this August includes:

  • Belleview-Santos Elementary: Constance Carpenter (First-time principal)
  • Eighth Street Elementary: Renee Johnson (Dual-campus principal with Osceola Middle)
  • Fordham Early Learning Academy: Tracy Moody (First-time principal)
  • Forest High: Chris Carlisle
  • Hillcrest: Cindy Lowe (First-time principal)
  • Howard Middle: Dr. Dion Gary
  • North Marion Middle: Stephanie Collins (First-time principal)
  • South Ocala Elementary: Ryan Bennett
  • Sunrise Elementary: Susan Williams

Retiring this year are veteran principals Lori Manresa (Hillcrest), Rusty Corley (North Marion Middle), and Cathy Balius (Sunrise Elementary).

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