FHSD Welcomes New Administrators

Posted on 02/21/2020
FHSD Welcomes New Administrators


The FHSD Board of Education approved the hiring of four administrators during the Feb. Board meeting. All of these new hires are effective on July 1, 2020.

Dr. Kirsteen James has been selected as the principal at Francis Howell Middle School. Dr. James has been serving as the interim principal at FHMS during the 2019-20 school year. Dr. James taught fourth and fifth grades at Independence Elementary from 2002-06 and then moved to the secondary level for the 2006-07 school year at Hollenbeck Middle School. She has served as an assistant principal at both Daniel Boone Elementary and FHMS. Dr. James has involved the whole school community in setting school improvement goals, led the Parent Involvement Team, and facilitated student recognition and assemblies, always putting students first. She has a clear and consistent vision that promotes success in every aspect of education at FHMS.

Marlo Scholle has been selected as the new principal at Early Childhood – Central School Road. She succeeds Marcia Birk, who will be retiring effective June 30. Scholle is currently the administrative intern at John Weldon Elementary. Previously she taught fourth and first grade at Central Elementary for 12 years. She received a bachelor’s in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University and master’s degrees in both arts in education and school administration from Lindenwood University. Scholle is an enthusiastic instructional leader who works to ensure every student is successful. Her leadership qualities are rooted in the foundation of collaboration, organization and decision making. As an administrator, her goal is to be an inclusive, instructional leader who makes decisions to positively impact our students.

Mendi McDowell has been selected as the new principal at Early Childhood – Hackmann Road. She follows Jane McKinney, who will be retiring on June 30. McDowell has served as a kindergarten teacher/leader in the Jackson (MO) School District for 19 years. Prior to that, she worked in the Cape Girardeau School District as the Missouri Preschool Project Director. She received a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s in elementary administration from William Woods University. McDowell’s greatest strengths include collaborative leadership, the ability to communicate with a diverse population, creating a shared vision, and analyzing data in order to monitor progress and set goals. As principal, her goal is to create a school culture and educational program conducive to student learning and development.

Ashley Mair will be the new assistant principal at Francis Howell Central, replacing the retiring Marty Davis. Mair has served as the dean of students at FHC for the past two years. She has also served as a summer school assistant principal and a LEAP administrator intern. She taught Spanish at FHC before becoming an administrator. Mair received a bachelor’s in Spanish and elementary education as well as a master’s of secondary education administration from Lindenwood University. She works to encourage and support rigor and relevance in the classroom and to celebrate those accomplishments with the school and the community. It is her goal to ensure that each student and staff member feels comfortable and supported to work together for engagement in every class every day.

New Administrators

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