Springfield Public Schools announced the hiring of two new principals for the 2024-2025 year. Both of the new principals will begin their roles on July 1.
Lauren Hassell has been named as the new principal of Delaware Elementary. She is currently an assistant principal at Jeffries Elementary.
She started in 2010 with SPS as a kindergarten and first grade teacher. In 2021, she joined Jeffries as a school community liaison.
Hassell earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and master’s degree in curriculum, instruction and educational administration from Missouri State University. She replaces Stephanie Young, who has been announced as principal for Hickory Hills K-8.
Mark Davis II will lead Wilson’s Creek Intermediate School. New to SPS, he currently is School Founders Fellow with New Schools for Alabama in Macon County, Alabama. The school is a newly-created charter school with opportunities in aviation, agriculture and STEAM courses.
Previously, Davis served as a building administrator in small and large schools in both urban and rural environments, including the Jefferson City and St. Louis areas. He also worked as a regional network administrator and integration manager for the KIPP Foundation, and with St. Louis Public Schools as a program administrator of agriculture, food and natural resources.
Davis earned a bachelor’s in agribusiness from Langston University, a master’s in business administration from Webster University and a doctorate in educational leadership from St. Louis University. He replaces Karyn Christy, who is retiring after 22 years with SPS.
