SARASOTA COUNTY, Feb. 27, 2018 –Erin del Castillo has been named the new principal of Riverview High School (RHS) effective July 1, pending Board approval. Ms. del Castillo currently serves as principal of Venice Elementary School (VES) where she has worked as an administrator since 2016. She returns to RHS where she was an assistant principal from 2010 – 2015 and oversaw the teen parent program and Head Start initiatives, and supervised the English and reading departments. Ms. del Castillo’s appointment comes after the departure of Paul Burns who left RHS in December of 2017 to take a position with the Florida Department of Education. Kathy Wilks has been serving as acting principal of RHS during the transition and will remain in this post through the current school year.
 

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring Erin back to Riverview High School,” stated Superintendent Todd Bowden. “There were many qualified applicants for the position but Erin’s strong affinity with the high school and previous work experience make her an exceptional candidate to fulfill this role. I also want to thank Kathy Wilks for her dedication during the transition.”

“Riverview High School is a dynamic institution that blends academic excellence with a variety of opportunities for students to pursue their passion in and out of the classroom,” noted Erin del Castillo. “I am honored for the opportunity to lead such an incredible school and look forward to collaborating with the Riverview community to help every student reach his/her highest potential.”

“Erin is the perfect person at the perfect time to lead Riverview High School as principal,” said Stephen Cantees, executive director of High Schools. “She brings a strong, instructional background and is ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges she will face at Riverview. I also want to personally thank Kathy Wilks for her steadfast and deliberate leadership during this transition.”

In addition to serving at VES and RHS, Ms. del Castillo held the position of assistant principal at Pine View, a gifted magnet school where she oversaw all elementary teachers, families, programs and discipline for grades 2 – 5. She holds a Master of Science in educational leadership from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications from the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati, OH. The school district will begin a search for a new principal at Venice Elementary this spring. Ms. del Castillo will continue to lead Venice Elementary during the transition period.  

About Sarasota County Schools

Dedicated to academic excellence, Sarasota County Schools is home to 53 schools, 43,000 students and 5,000 employees. It is one of only two Florida districts to be graded A every year since grading began in 2004. Learn more: SarasotaCountySchools.net.