Sprinkle Named Principal of Sarasota Middle School

SARASOTA, FL – Roy Sprinkle, the Sarasota County Schools director of human resources, has been named the new principal of Sarasota Middle school effective Monday, May 2.

Sprinkle succeeds former Sarasota Middle principal Karen Rose, who was named the district’s executive director of middle schools in October. Candace Dearing has served as acting principal in the interim.

“Roy is a remarkable leader that embodies the qualities and skill to take Sarasota Middle School’s vision of innovative learning to the next level,” said Superintendent Lori White, who appointed Sprinkle. “His love of the school and its students is unsurpassed.”

Sprinkle has been the school district’s director of human resources and labor relations since 2007. He served as principal of Bay Haven School of Basics Plus from 2004-07. He was an assistant principal at North Port High School from 2001-04 and served in that role at Booker Middle School from 1998-2001. He held various administrative positions with the Osceola County School District in 1997-98 and served as an assistant principal of a junior/senior high school in Indiana from 1995-97. He taught children with emotional disabilities in Indiana from 1989-95.

“I feel blessed to have been chosen as the new leader of Sarasota Middle School,” Sprinkle said. “Karen Rose has done an outstanding job there for many years, and I can only hope to continue with the accomplishments of this incredible school community. Sarasota has been my home for over 17 years. I’m proud to say that I am raising my two children in this beautiful place.”

Sprinkle’s son Royce and daughter Kennady are twins in the fourth grade at Gulf Gate Elementary School.

Sprinkle earned a certificate of educational leadership from the University of Central Florida, a master’s degree in educational studes from Purdue University, and a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University.

Sarasota Middle serves students in grades six through eight and began as Sarasota Junior High in 1951.

Image courtesy of Sarasota County Schools

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