3 more Pinellas schools are getting new principals

The Pinellas County school board filled three additional school principal posts on Tuesday, two because of retirements and one due to a last-minute change of plans.

Both San Jose and Fuguitt elementary schools are getting new leadership as their principals end their careers with the district.

Kathryn Gualtieri, assistant principal at Leila Davis Elementary, will step into the principal’s office at San Jose Elementary in Dunedin. Gualtieri has worked for the district in several capacities since 2002. She replaces Lisa Brown.

Dustin Adams, an assistant principal at Osceola Middle since 2017, will become the next principal at Fuguitt Elementary in Largo. Adams joined the district after working in Alachua County schools. He replaces Kathlene Bentley.

Sawgrass Lake Elementary in St. Petersburg, meanwhile, is getting its second principal appointment in a month.

Stephanie Blackman, assistant principal at Bardmoor Elementary, has been named to run Sawgrass Lake. Blackman began teaching in the district in 2005, and served from 2016 to 2018 as principal of Ponce de Leon Elementary.

The board had approved Kristina Stratton from Hernando County earlier this spring to take the job, replacing Jessica Hill, who resigned in April. Stratton ultimately declined the role, and the district readvertised the post. She declined to comment.

The board has approved new principals in about one fifth of its schools for the coming academic year.