Ozark High School gains new principal, assistant principal

The unexpected exit of the Ozark High School principal prompted a series of 11th hour leadership shifts within the Ozark School District ahead of the upcoming school year. The changes start July 1.

Kent Sappington, executive director of elementary education, will serve as interim principal of Ozark High School following the late April announcement that Phillip Witt was leaving to become vice president of academic affairs at Crowder College.

Sappington will serve as interim principal and executive director of secondary learning during the 2026-27 year, giving the district time to conduct a thorough search for Witt’s replacement.

Sappington was principal of Ozark’s East Elementary from 2007 to 2019, when he moved into his current leadership role.

Superintendent Lori Wilson acknowledged Sappington’s experience as part of the district reorganization. His salary, which is based on the executive director scale, will be $150,808.

“Kent's relationship-focused leadership style, along with his strengths in systems and processes, will provide valuable support to our secondary buildings and programs,” Wilson said in a May 26 news release.

“I believe this approach provides an important level of stability and continuity for students, staff and families during the upcoming year.”

Wilson said the principal position will be posted in December or January to give the district “adequate time to identify the best long-term candidate.” Typically, the hiring decisions involving principals and top district leaders happen earlier in the spring semester.

The Ozark Board of Education voted May 21 to hire Fernando Sustaita, a history teacher and coach at Nixa High School for more than a decade, as assistant principal of Ozark High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked in the corporate field before becoming a teacher.

Sustaita, who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Drury University, has a specialist degree in superintendency and administration from Missouri State University.

Sappington said Sustaita’s previous work and military experience will be a plus. His starting pay will be $93,393.

“He has worked with students both as a teacher and a coach across multiple sports,” he said in the release. “He is a ball of energy, and I look forward to all he will bring to Ozark High School.”

Other leadership shifts were also announced:

● Trent Floyd, the Academy Explorations teacher, will serve as dean of students in the program. The role includes handling smaller discipline matters, facilitating shuttle buses and enforcing policies including cellphone restrictions.

● Anna Thurman, currently executive director of student services, will move into Sappington's current role as executive director of elementary education.

● Gerald Chambers, currently executive director of secondary learning, will move into Thurman’s role as executive director of student services.