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 SchoolsDedicated
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.