Dysart welcomes new administrators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — 7/16/2019

The Dysart Unified School District is set to start the new school year with several new administrators. For the 2019-2020 school year, new school principals are as follows:

Angela Allen, Principal, Ashton Ranch Elementary School - Angela Allen has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Washington and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University. Allen has worked at Dysart since 2006 as a Teacher, Academic Interventionist and Assistant Principal.

Emily Dean, Principal, Asante Preparatory Academy - Emily Dean has a Bachelor of Science from Indiana State University and a Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix. Dean started with the Dysart Unified School District in 2006 as an Assistant Principal, and became a Principal in 2008. Dean moved to Asante from Ashton Ranch Elementary School. 

Molly Gillett, Principal, Luke Elementary School - Molly Gillett joins the district from the Eugene School District in Oregon, where she previously served as Principal. Gillett holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon and a Master of Arts from Pacific University.

Ashley Longoria, Principal, Dysart Elementary School - Ashley Longoria has been with Dysart since she started her teaching career in 2010, and is moving to Dysart Elementary from Dysart High School. Longoria is an alumnus of Dysart Elementary and Dysart High, and holds a Bachelor of Arts for Arizona State University, a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Education from Grand Canyon University.

Adam Schwartz, Principal, Willow Canyon High School - Adam Schwartz has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Education from Northern Arizona University. Schwartz began his career as a science teacher, and has been an Assistant Principal in the Agua Fria High School District since 2009.

Connie Wolford, Principal, Freedom Traditional Academy - Connie Wolford has served in Dysart since 2008. She became an Assistant Principal in the district in 2015. Wolford holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Central Washington University and a Master of Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Wolford moved to Freedom Traditional Academy from Mountain View School.

In addition to new principals, Dysart also has a new Assistant Superintendent for Human Relations. John Croteau took over this role beginning in July when longtime employee, Patricia Buck, retired after over 30 years in the District. Croteau has a Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University and a Master of Education from the University of Phoenix. He began his teaching career in 1995, and has held the positions of Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Executive Director. Most recently, he was the Chief Operations Officer in the Peoria Unified School District. 

Dysart employs more than 2,500 staff members at 25 schools and numerous departments.  With competitive salaries and benefits, Dysart attracts highly qualified staff. This year, the district was pleased to give certified staff 5% raises, and support staff and administrators 3%. According to Zippia.com, Dysart Unified School District tops the list as the “Best Company to Work for in Surprise, AZ”. Additionally, the Phoenix Business Journal named Dysart as a top 20 “Healthiest Employer” in the largest/extra category. Dysart is always hiring highly qualified staff. Interested candidates may view job openings at www.dysart.org/careers.