13 Collier County schools will have new principals in fall

Thirteen Collier County public schools will receive new principals in the fall.

All 13 principals-to-be currently hold positions in the district; five are principals who will be transferred to different schools, and eight will be promoted.

The reasons for the outgoing principals’ departures include retirement, relocation and promotion, according to a district news release.

The release also noted that certain principals are being transferred to better match the principals' skills with schools' needs and to accommodate principals who wish to broaden their experience to a different school level or a different type of school, such as one with more or fewer low-income students or English language learners.

Rebecca Merhar, current assistant principal at Big Cypress Elementary, will be promoted to principal at Corkscrew Elementary School.

Merhar has a wealth of experience, from her position as dean of discipline at Corkscrew Middle and Gulfview Middle to serving as the assistant principal of Manatee Middle and Lorenzo Walker Technical High.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be (their) next principal,” she said. “Being a proud CES parent myself for the past six years, I know how amazing the school is.”

Manatee Elementary Assistant Principal Renee Hanson will be the new principal of Village Oaks Elementary. Hanson has worked for numerous Collier County schools, as a teacher, media specialist and assistant principal.

“I am very excited about my new position,” she said. “The current principal has built many business and community partnerships that I hope to meet with soon to continue a productive relationship in support of our students."

Ryan Nemeth, principal of Lely High School, will be the principal of Immokalee Middle School in the  fall.

Nemeth made headlines across the state last year when he ordered his students to stand and be quiet for the national anthem at a football game, or else be sent home.

Nemeth has worked as a social studies teacher, dean of students and assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at North Naples and Oakridge middle schools.

“The ever-constant changing world of adolescents keeps my job exciting,” Nemeth said. “Watching the students grow from elementary students entering sixth grade and leaving us as high school students when they complete eighth grade is very rewarding.”

Naples High graduate and current Corkscrew Elementary Principal Ronna Smith will be the new principal of Corkscrew Middle.

“I am very eager to continue to work with the families in the Corkscrew area,” she said. “It will be exciting to see students continue their academic growth and carry on the traditions of Corkscrew Middle School.”

These Collier schools will have new principals in August:

Corkscrew Elementary, Rebecca Merhar

Golden Gate Elementary, Kelly Bergey

Village Oaks Elementary, Renee Hanson

Corkscrew Middle School, Ronna Smith

East Naples Middle, Kevin Huelsman

Gulfview Middle School, Kristina Lee

Immokalee Middle School, Ryan Nemeth

Immokalee High School, Clara Calderon

Lely High School, Ellen Keegan

Naples High School, Darren Burkett

Sabal Palm Elementary, Angie Torres

Naples Park Elementary, Meredith Kirby

Tommie Barfield Elementary, Kathryn Maya