New Principal Appointed For Riverview High School

Sarasota, FL – A familiar face at Riverview High School will become the school’s newest principal.

Sarasota County Superintendent of Schools Lori White appointed Assistant Principal Paul Burns as principal of Riverview High School effective July 11. Burns succeeds Eric Jackson, who served as Riverview principal for the 2015-16 school year.

Jackson has been appointed principal at Venice High School.

Sarasota Executive Director of High Schools Steve Cantees said Burns is an outstanding administrator and a perfect fit for Riverview.

“We are excited to have Dr. Burns as the next principal at Riverview,” he said. “It’s important to have an accomplished academic leader at a high-performing school.”

Burns holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and French from the University of Arkansas, a master’s degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University in St. Louis and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of St. Louis. He was a Fulbright Scholar and a National African-American Scholar.

Burns was a teacher for 11 years and has served in school administration for eight years. He began his career as a French teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools district and taught French and math for vie years at a private high school in the city before moving into school administration.

He was an assistant principal at Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis for two years and assistant and associate principal at Marquette High School in Chesterfield, Mo., for four years. Burns was named Assistant Principal of the Year in St. Louis in 2014.

Burns then accepted a position as an assistant principal at Venice High School for the 2014-15 school year, then was assigned as an assistant principal at Riverview in 2015.

Burns said he is looking forward to serving in a leadership role at Riverview.

“I am proud to have the opportunity to serve as principal of Riverview High School,” he said. “(Riverview) is an outstanding school community with a long tradition of academic excellence. I’m looking forward to continuing the tradition of academic excellence at Riverview while working with our students, families and teachers.”

Cantees said the field of applicants for the principal position at Riverview was strong, but Burns stood out.

“He is a Top 5-percenter,” Cantees said. “He is a natural-born-leader and relationship builder. He is highly motivated and constantly learning about teaching and learning. He is always studying and applying the latest educational research.”

Although Burns will begin work July 11, his appointment must be approved by the Sarasota County School Board. The appointment will be submitted for approval at the July 19 board meeting.

Image courtesy of Sarasota County Schools

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