Correction: Lenart Leaves Fairfax HS; Fill-In At Providence ES

Correction (May 13, 11:55 a.m.): This story was corrected to reflect that Providence Principal Dan Phillips is stepping down only temporarily.

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Dr. Erin Lenart, principal of Fairfax High School since 2018, will succeed Chala Holland, the outgoing principal at Lake Forest Community High School (Illinois), on July 1.

Providence Elementary Principal Dan Phillips also announced he was stepping down for two months to focus on his health, according to a release from the City of Fairfax School Board.

Linda Shannon will assume the role of acting principal at Providence starting on Monday, May 17, continuing through the end of June.

“I have worked with Ms. Shannon when she became a National Board Certified Teacher,” said Dr. Phyllis Pajardo, superintendent of City of Fairfax Schools, in a release. “She is an exceptional educator who has made many significant contributions to student and staff success. I am very excited and pleased to be working with her again.”

The school board will announce its plans for finding Lenart's replacement in the coming days.

“It is with mixed emotions to say farewell to Dr. Erin Lenart,” Pajardo said, in the release. “I value her friendship, I admire her leadership and I offer my most sincere best wishes to both her and Michael. I want to assure the Fairfax HS community I will be an integral part of the principal selection process and will work with FCPS to fill the upcoming FHS principal vacancy.”

The Lake Forest Community High School District 115 school board on Monday approved a contract with Lenart to take on the leadership role at the Lake Forest, Illinois school.

Jonah Meadows, the Patch editor for the Lake Forest community, interviewed Lenart about her new role in Illinois. Read the full story.