- December 25, 2024
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Come January, Mainland High School Principal Joseph Castelli will be moving on to a district position.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Volusia County School Board approved Castelli's appointment as the district's new director of secondary schools under the Teaching, Leading and Learning department, effective Jan. 15, 2025. Castelli has been Mainland's principal since 2020.
"I am truly honored and humbled to accept this new role as secondary director," Castelli said. "Serving as Mainland High School's principal has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I owe a debt of gratitude to our incredible staff, students and the Mainland community for trusting me to lead our school."
Prior to his principalship at Mainland, Castelli worked as a principal for Hillsborough County.
The position as director of secondary schools will allow Casteli to provide support to teams across the district, and he said he's excited to "continue to build a culture of excellence in each school."
"Every day, I've been inspired by the passion and resilience of our students and staff," Castelli said. "Together, we have made strides in fostering a truly unique learning environment that has led to earning a 'B' rating, and this year, our team continues to surpass our academic goals."
Under Castelli, Mainland improved from a "C" to a "B" for the 2023-2024 school year.
School Board member Jessie Thompson said Castelli's appointment to a district position is exciting, as he's done so much for Mainland.
"I'm excited to see you bring that to the district," she said. "I'm sad for Mainland, I'm sad for their staff. I'm sad that they will no longer have them there, but I love that you are still in that umbrella of the high schools, and I know you'll be around there."
It seems like yesterday when School Board member Carl Persis said he was welcoming him to Mainland. He congratulated him on his new appointment.
"I know you'll do a super job," Persis said. "You've done well. I know Mainland folks are already wondering, 'Who's coming? Who's coming?' So let's hope the board can make that decision quickly."
School Board member Ruben Colon said that he believes Castelli will do a great job, though he is leaving a gap at Mainland, but that the district will work to ensure a smooth transition.
"I look forward to learning who will be the next principal at the Mainland High, home of the Buc Pride that never dies," Colon said.
