PALM COAST, Fla. - Educator Amy Neuenfeldt has been announced as the pick to be the next principal of Wadsworth Elementary School, per an announcement from Flagler Schools last week. Neuenfeldt's selection is among the first major actions of LaShakia Moore since assuming the role of interim Superintendent this year.
In taking over the reins at Wadsworth, Neuenfeldt will assume the job of following the now-released Paul Peacock. Most of Peacock's time with Flagler Schools was less than eventful, but his work was thrown into question when he communicated with School Board member Sally Hunt to advocate for the firing of former Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt. Communications summoned by public record requests showed that Peacock appeared to coach Hunt on how to move toward Mittelstadt's firing in a Board meeting.
Neuenfeldt will become the third person to be Wadsworth principal in three years, following Peacock and Mary Kate Parton. In May of last year Parton tendered her resignation at the same time as then-Flagler Palm Coast High School Principal Greg Schwartz.
With such frequent turnover recently, the appointment of Neuenfeldt has the potential to bring much-needed stability to Wadsworth Elementary School. Having served as assistant principal at Indian Trails Middle School on top of a 14-year tenure at WES, Neuenfeldt feels optimistic about the job.
“My time at Wadsworth and the relationships I made there shaped me into the educator and administrator I am today,” she said in a district statement. “Students, teachers, staff, and parents will see me actively engaged as I do everything I can to promote this great campus. I know what a special place WES is, and now it’s time for our entire community to find that out.”
Considering her credentials and disposition for the job, interim Superintendent Moore feels similarly hopeful. “Amy has learned so much about effective leadership in her time as an administrator at Indian Trails," Moore said. "That, combined with her long history at Wadsworth Elementary, makes her the ideal principal there. On top of that, she inherits an amazing leadership team who are committed to steering WES in the right direction.”
