provided by SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ashley Felton, assistant principal of Central High School, will become its principal on July 1.

SPS promotes assistant principal to Central High’s top job

BY: Claudette Riley, Reportercriley@sbj.net

Posted online May 6, 2026 | 9:26 am

Last edited 2:02 p.m., May 6, 2026 [Editor's note: Salary information has been added.]

Ashley Felton has been named Central High School’s next principal.

Springfield Public Schools tapped Felton, Central’s assistant principal for three years, to replace Jeremy Brown. She starts the new role on July 1.

“By leading from a place of positive, solution-oriented action, Dr. Felton will maintain the focus on effective instruction while fostering the very culture that allows it to flourish,” said Sheila Wynn, executive director of high schools, in a news release.

“Her administrative vision is not to change the heart of Central High School, but to unlock the boundless potential of what the Central community can become,” Wynn added. “I am thrilled that she is joining the high school leadership team and the SPS administrative team, and I look forward to the expertise she will bring to our district.”

Felton graduated from Parkview High School and obtained a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a doctorate in educational leadership from Evangel University.

She spent nine years with the Lebanon R-III School District and was an adjunct instructor at Missouri State University.

“I’m excited to begin this new chapter at Central, working together with staff, students and families to create meaningful opportunities for growth and success,” Felton said in the release. “I look forward to continuing to serve the Central community in this new capacity by listening, leading with humility and ensuring every student and staff member feels valued and supported.”

Felton's salary in the role will be $114,824, according to district officials.

Brown, who has been principal since 2021, plans to leave the district at the end of the 2025-26 year to pursue a job outside the region, district officials said.

Two months ago, SPS announced Megan Brown – who is married to Jeremy Brown – was stepping down as principal of Parkview High School after three years in the role.