Okaloosa School Board member Diane Kelley selected as new principal to lead Destin High
She is not new to Destin, but Diane Kelley is new to Destin High School.
Kelley, who served as principal at Destin Middle School from 2008 to 2013 and as a board member of the Okaloosa County School Board representing District 5, got the nod Tuesday night from the Destin High School governing board as the new principal.
“To welcome a principal of Dr. Kelley’s caliber and experience to our school is tremendous,” said Heidi LoCicero, president of the governing board.
“Her exceptional leadership in Okaloosa County schools ... 36 years of being an educator, even here at Destin Middle, and six years with the School Board, just shows her dedication to local education and willingness to serve the community,” LoCicero said.
“Personally, I have found she is really geared toward inspiring students to be successful ... that’s where she will shine on campus,” LoCicero said.
Destin High, now a 3-year-old charter school, started the principal search earlier this year when Principal Christine Cruickshank stepped down. Cruickshank remains on staff at the high school as dual enrollment coordinator.
The high school received nearly a dozen applications for the position and then narrowed it down to six before deciding on Kelley.
“We had a really good pool of candidates to pick from. But of all the applicants, hers continued to rise to the top,” LoCicero said.
Donald "Willy" Williams, executive director of Destin High, echoed LoCicero.
"Her dedication, vision, and commitment to educational excellence align perfectly with our vision, mission and goals," Williams said in a news release.
LoCicero said she is also impressed with Kelley’s “ability to build relationships with students, staff, family and the Destin community. The people already know her and respect her.
“She will help us take the high school into the next chapter,” LoCicero said.
And Kelley is “looking forward” to the challenge.
To take on the role of principal, Kelley will step down from her position with the School Board. Her spot on the board will be filled by appointment from the governor.
“I wish there was a way I could do both,” Kelley said.