Deltona Elementary Principal Julie Sweeney Resigns, Veteran Educator Named Interim

Julie Sweeney stepped down as principal of Deltona Elementary School on March 6, closing more than 13 years of service to the Hernando County School District with a goodbye rooted in family: a new grandchild waiting at home.

"I have enjoyed my time being a part of the DES family and will miss the wonderful staff and community, but I am certainly looking forward to spending quality time with my new grandchild," Sweeney said.

Sweeney described the departure as a difficult personal decision, one driven by the pull of family rather than any professional dispute. Her tenure with HCSD spanned both teaching and administrative roles across the district over more than a decade.

Filling her seat on an interim basis is Toni Ann Noyes, a 30-year HCSD veteran who most recently served as principal of Nature Coast Technical High School before retiring. Noyes will lead Deltona Elementary while the district conducts interviews for a permanent replacement.

The school Noyes is stepping into serves 801 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade at hours running 9:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. Assistant Principal Trina Crawford remains on staff. The school's stated vision calls for 100 percent of students to demonstrate growth in literacy and math each year while maintaining an environment where at least 90 percent of students report feeling connected to the school community.

No timeline has been announced for when the district expects to name a permanent principal.