2 Pinellas County schools get new principals
Brooker Creek Elementary School in Tarpon Springs is getting a new principal after the recent and abrupt departure of Joshua Hodges, who had been with the school since January 2022.
The school board approved veteran district educator Seymour Brown, director of strategic partnerships, to lead Brooker Creek. Brown, who has been with the district about 31 years, previously worked as a guidance counselor, school principal and district human resources director. Assistant principal Kristie Gerber had been running the campus since late October, when parents were advised of Hodges’ departure.
Hodges, whose wife is a teacher at Cypress Woods Elementary, submitted his resignation effective Oct. 28, citing unspecified personal reasons. The district declined to provide any additional information, saying it does not discuss personnel matters.
The board also approved the appointment of Jason Shedrick as director of Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg. He replaces Sylester Norwood, who retires at the end of November.
Shedrick, currently an administrator on special assignment to the transportation department, joined the school district in 2002 as a teacher at Gibbs High. He has served as assistant principal at Osceola and Pinellas Park middle schools, and principal at Bay Point and Pinellas Park middle schools.
Both appointments take effect Wednesday.
Jeffrey S. Solochek is an education reporter covering K-12 education policy and schools. Reach him at jsolochek@tampabay.com.