Fourteen Lee County schools are getting new principals for the 2026-27 school year, according to administrative appointments made at the two most recent regular school board meetings.
All the appointments became effective as of July 1, according to Robert Spicker, the director of communications for the School District of Lee County
Here’s who they are.
Edgewood Academy: Robert Cooper
Robert Cooper was named the Lee County Principal of the Year in 2020 while serving at Bonita Springs Elementary School, where he piloted an English language learning program for parents. He has been a part of the school district for over 20 years, starting as a teacher in 2005 and working his way up, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He previously served as principal at Mirror Lakes Elementary and Rayma C. Page Elementary, eventually becoming principal lead for the school district, guiding new administrators.
In June 2024, the Salisbury University graduate started as the director of academic and student Services for the school district. Cooper will replace Thomas Millins, who is moving into the role as principal of The Sanibel School.
Oak Hammock Middle School: Brian Mangan
Brian Mangan brings over 25 years of experience in the Lee County School district to Oak Hammock Middle School. He most recently served as a director of academic and student services for the district, and previously held the roles as principal at East Lee County High School and director of Fort Myers Technical College. He holds degrees from Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of South Florida and Georgia Military College, according to his LinkedIn. Mangan will replace David Howdyshell, who will become an assistant principal at Mariner Middle School for the upcoming school year.
The Sanibel School: Thomas Millins
Thomas Millins, former principal of Edgewood Academy, has 27 years of experience in the Lee County School district, spending much of that time as a school-based administrator.
Before becoming the principal of Edgewood Academy, he served in the same position at North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts and Pine Island Elementary School. During his time in the Lee County school system he has served on a number of district committees like the District’s Code of Conduct, District Advisory Council, Sterling Quality and Safety Committees.
Millins has also worked as an internship coordinator at Nova Southeastern University, helping students get their 300 hours of educational leadership responsibilities at school sites. His mission,, according to his school biography, is: “One school, one community equals one TEAM!!!”
Former Sanibel School principal Jennifer Lusk resigned in May to move to a new role outside of the district. Assistant principal Jill Gurgal is serving as the interim principal until Millins takes over.
Gateway High School: Danielle Pinkerton
Danielle Pinkerton joined the School District of Lee County in January as the assistant principal of Cape Coral High School. She previously served as the principal at Al Maaref Private School in Dubai, and as an administrator at other private and international schools in Dubai, Bahrain and Italy.
Before starting her international educator career, Pinkerton was principal of Islands High School in Georgia for four years.
Pinkerton graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in elementary education and teaching, later earning a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Cleveland State University, according to her LinkedIn. Pinkerton will replace Neketa Watson, who is leaving Gateway High School to become principal of East Lee County High School.
East Lee County High School: Neketa Watson
Neketa Watson, the current principal of Gateway High School, brings a wealth of administrative experience to East Lee County High.
Before being named the first principal of Gateway High in 2019 as it prepared to open, she served as principal of Lehigh Acres Middle School, where she earned the school the designation as an AVID National Demonstration School.
She started out as a teacher at Lehigh Senior High School after earning a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University. She then rose to assistant principal at Lehigh Senior High School after earning a degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
She was also an assistant principal at East Lee County High School before becoming a principal at Lehigh Acres Middle in 2014. Watson will replace Tony Allen, who is moving to pursue an assistant principal role at Cypress Lake Middle School.
Mariner Middle School: Ryan Atwood
Ryan Atwood is coming to Mariner Middle School from the Broward County School District where he served as the principal of Sunrise Middle School. Prior to that, Atwood was an assistant principal at a different school in the district. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Atwood moved to Broward County with his wife after graduating college, where they raised two daughters, a 10-year-old and 14-year-old, the youngest of which will be attending Mariner Middle as a sixth grader this school year.
“I’m a firm believer in accountability, shared leadership, and using data to make informed decisions, but just as importantly, I believe in people,” Atwood wrote in a letter introducing himself to Mariner Middle. “Strong relationships between students, staff, families, and the community are what truly drive a school forward.”
Atwood will replace former principal Mason Clark, who is now the principal of Challenger Middle School.
Riverdale High School: Julie Powell Balan
Julie Powell Balan is moving up from assistant principal at Riverdale High to principal for the upcoming school year. She also has served as the interim principal for the school when former principal Scott Cook stepped down to pursue a new job as deputy chief of school operations for the district. During her time at Riverdale High, she also oversaw a $108 million construction project to transform the school’s campus.
Challenger Middle School: Mason Clark
As the former principal of Mariner Middle School, Mason Clark, brings experience in the Lee County school district and international educational experience to Challenger Middle. Clark started his teaching career as a Peace Corps math teacher in Senegal, later moving to Cape Coral in 2018 with his wife and four children.
“I look forward to building upon Challenger’s established culture of excellence. It’s going to be an outstanding 2026-2027 school year,” he wrote in an introduction note on the school’s website.
Clark will replace former principal Christopher Drake, who is now the principal of North Fort Myers High School.
Patriot Elementary School: Franklin Scott Cook
Former principal of River Hall Elementary Franklin Scott Cook graduated from West Carolina University with a degree in special education in 1998, later earning a master’s degree in school leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University. Before becoming principal at River Hall Elementary, he served as an assistant principal at Treeline Elementary and The Bayshore School.
“Mr. Cook is a staunch advocate for educating the whole child and fostering strong, collaborative partnerships between families, the community, and the school,” according to the biography posted on the school’s website. “He is very excited to be a member of the Patriot Elementary family, where amazing things are happening!”
Cook will replace Elizabeth Feliciano, who will now be an assistant principal at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts.
North Fort Myers High School: Christopher Drake
Christopher Drake was most recently the principal of Challenger Middle School, and has been working in the School District of Lee County for the last 17 years. He got his start as a math teacher at Fort Myers High School in 2009, then moving between different schools over the next decade before becoming assistant principal of Bonita Springs High School in 2019. In 2023, Drake took on a position as the leadership development coordinator for the district, and then became principal at Challenger Middle in 2024. The Fort Myers High School graduate holds degrees from Edison Community College, Florida Gulf Coast University and Saint Leo University.
Drake will replace former principal Debbie Diggs, who retired July 1 after 35 years in the school district.
Success Academy: Ronald Ashley LaMar
LaMar was most recently the principal at Caloosa Elementary School, but is most known for his role as a turnaround principal at Manatee Elementary, bringing it from an F-rated school to a C in just two years. Prior to that experience, he was a principal at Royal Palm Exceptional School, and from 2001 to 2014, he bounced around between different roles in the School District of Lee County. LaMar holds degrees from Indiana University Bloomington, Florida Gulf Coast University and the American College of Education.
LaMar will replace Joseph Restino, who is set to become the first principal of the new Alva High School.
Caloosa Elementary School: Nicole Osterholm
Over 30 years ago, Nicole Osterholm started her career in education at Caloosa Elementary as teacher shortly after graduating from Valparaiso University, later earning a master’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. She taught at two other schools before becoming the assistant principal at Allen Park Elementary, where she stayed for eight years, until being promoted to principal of Cape Elementary, a role she served in for 14 years.
“Ms. Osterholm is passionate about creating a school environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to learn,” according to her biography on the school’s website. “She believes that strong relationships, high expectations, and teamwork are the foundation of a successful school community.”
Osterholm will replace Ronald Ashley LaMar, who is now the principal of Success Academy.
Cape Elementary School: Kristine Sund
Cape Elementary is getting a new principal for the first time in 14 years. Sund earned a degree from the University of Central Florida, later earning a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University, after graduating from the Lee County school system. She started as a teacher, and worked her way up before becoming the assistant principal at Cape Elementary, where she has worked for the last 12 years.
“Her goal is to foster a collaborative, nurturing community where families, staff, and students work together toward continuous improvement, ensuring every child feels valued, loves learning, and is challenged to reach their fullest potential,” according to her biography on the school’s website.
She will replace long-term principal and co-worker Nicole Osterholm, who will be the new principal of Caloosa Elementary.
River Hall Elementary: Jennifer Wilcken
Most recently the principal of Treeline Elementary, Wilcken serves on the Board of Directors for the Lee County Educational Administrators Association. The Fort Myers native started her teaching career in the Lee County school district, serving as an assistant principal at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts and Diplomat Elementary.
She will replace Franklin Scott Cook, who is becoming the new principal of Patriot Elementary School.
New Lee County Assistant Principals
Several schools within the School District of Lee County will have new assistant principals this coming school year including:
You can reach Naples Daily News reporter Alexa Ryan by emailing Alexa.Ryan@naplesnews.com. Follow her on Instagram @alexaryanreports or X @AlexaRyan_.
Do you have an opinion about this topic? Send us a letter to the editor or guest column at mailbag@news-press.com or letters@naplesnews.com.
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 14 Lee County schools have new principals: Here’s who they are
Reporting by Alexa Ryan, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alexa Ryan, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
