Three New Principals Join Winton Woods Schools | Schools

FOREST PARK, OH (FOX19) - Three buildings in the Winton Woods School District are welcoming new principals this year. Rachael Phillips is the new principal at Winton Woods Intermediate School; Craig Filipkowski is a new assistant principal at Winton Woods High School; and Jeremy Day is the new assistant principal at both Winton Woods Elementary and Intermediate Schools.

Phillips is in her twentieth year in education and came to the district from Northmoor Elementary School, a K-6 building with approximately 600 students, where she was principal. Under her leadership Northmoor was rated Excellent with Distinction by the state of Ohio. Phillips received her Bachelor’s degree in music education from Miami University and her Master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Dayton. She also completed the School Administration Licensure Program at the University of Dayton. She succeeds Tonya West Wright who resigned to accept a position in a neighboring school district.

“The district received 22 applications for the intermediate school position,” said Courtney Wilson, executive director of human resources and legal affairs. After a telephone screening process, seven applicants were invited to interview with an administrative team comprised of Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Terri Socol, Director of Student Services Patty D’Arcy, Winton Woods Middle School Principal Lisa Votaw and Wilson. Four finalists were presented to a building level team from the intermediate school comprised of teachers, classified staff and a community/parent representative. The team was asked to rank each candidate on: ability to impact student achievement; ability to engage children, parents and the community; and ability to develop and support teachers and staff. Nasbe considered the feedback from the team, and recommended Phillips to the Board of Education.

Jeremy Day was re-called to his former position of assistant principal after his predecessor, Brenda Hodges Davis, accepted a new position as director of alternative education and hearing officer for the district. Day, who is in his eighth year in education, will split his time between Winton Woods Intermediate and Elementary Schools. He attended Cincinnati State College, where he earned an Associate’s degree in civil engineering and then received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in middle childhood mathematics and language arts. He holds a Master’s Degree in sports administration from Xavier University and obtained his school administration license from Xavier as well.  

Craig Filipkowski has been a high school health, physical education and science teacher in the Winton Woods District since 2000. He has also served as interim assistant principal at both Winton Woods Intermediate and High Schools. Filipkowski has coached football at the high school and has served as Student Council advisor and head coach of the Academic Quiz Team. He received his Bachelor’s degree in education from Miami University, and both his Master’s degree in administration and his school administration license from Xavier University. Filipkowski succeeds Kristilynn Turney who resigned to accept a position in a neighboring school district.