The De Soto Board of Education has promoted one administrator and hired a former school board member for another administrative position.
Zeb Hammond
On March 25, the board voted unanimously to promote De Soto Junior High assistant principal Zeb Hammond to take over as the new principal of the school next school year. He will replace Joshua Phipps, who has been promoted to assistant superintendent.
Nicole Spruell
The board also voted unanimously to hire former school board member Nicole Spruell as director of communications, digital learning and chief grant writer. Spruell was elected to serve a one-year term on the school board in April 2023 and resigned on Feb. 28, citing personal reasons.
However, before her resignation, she had filed to run for one of the two three-year terms open on the board and appeared on the ballot on Tuesday, after the Leader deadline.
Incumbent Beverly Wilson and challenger Joseph Smart also filed for the election.
If Spruell won one of the two seats, she would have to turn down the board position in order to keep her new job with De Soto, said Ron Farrow, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment, who will take over as superintendent on July 1 when Josh Isaacson retires.
Then, the rest of the board members would appoint someone to fill the vacant seat, Farrow said.
“The third candidate would not automatically get the open slot,” he said. “The board would declare a vacancy and follow its appointment procedures to select a new member to fill out the board until next year’s election in April.”
Both Hammond and Spruell will take over their new administrative jobs on July 1.
Hammond, 39, will be paid $90,625 next school year as the junior high principal. His current annual salary as assistant principal is $76,581.25. Phipps made $99,375 as principal and will be paid $120,000 as assistant superintendent of school operations next school year.
Farrow said Spruell, 39, a special education teacher for the Mehlville School District, will be paid $75,000 in her job with De Soto next school year. She currently earns $71,300 a year at Mehlville.
The De Soto school board voted to seek applications for the communications position in January. Farrow said the position for a teaching, learning and communication specialist has been vacant for a couple of years, after Deana Pope was promoted to director of technology. This position was modified and renamed to include coordinating communications, providing instructional technology support and writing grants.
“This role will also be the chief grant writer for the district,” Farrow said in January. “The expectation will be to write and receive at least $100,000 in grants per year, which will not only provide additional opportunities for students and staff, but also will more than compensate for the salary.”
Farrow said 10 candidates applied for the communications director position, and 13 candidates applied for the junior high principal position.
“We are very fortunate to have two talented individuals moving into these positions to help the De Soto School District continue on its positive trajectory,” Farrow said. “Mr. Hammond brings a wealth of knowledge to the role of principal at our junior high, having worked in the secondary level here in De Soto for our management school, as well as assistant principal at our junior high. We are excited to have his continued leadership working alongside our amazing junior high staff.
Hammond lives in De Soto with his wife, Ann, and children, Lo, 8, and Mac, 6. His wife is a principal in the Northwest R-1 School District.
Hammond has worked for the De Soto School District for the past 16 years.
“As a De Soto alumni (2003), I am honored to serve the De Soto School District as the junior high principal,” he said. “Prior to becoming the principal, I served two years as the assistant principal at the De Soto Junior High School and 14 years working with De Soto alternative programs.
“As a passionate educator, I take great pride in serving DJHS as principal,” he said. “I want to continue to help improve student achievement, enhance school culture and foster a strong sense of community. My ultimate goal is to help shape students’ lives and have a positive impact on their education.”
Hammond earned a bachelor’s degree in business management/administration with a minor in marketing at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill. He obtained his teacher certification and master’s degree in educational administration from Missouri Baptist University.
Farrow said Spruell also was a great choice.
“Ms. Spruell brings a wide skill set to this position with her experiences as both a classroom teacher and a full-time digital learning educator,” he said. “We have had a deep talent pool for our administrative openings and are pleased to have such capable individuals joining our team in various roles.”
Spruell lives in De Soto with her husband, Brian, and their two children.
“I am very excited to step into this role and am eager to elevate the communication efforts of the De Soto School District,” she said.
Spruell has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health with a minor in coaching from Lindenwood University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Southwest Baptist University and an education specialist in superintendency and educational administration degree from Southwest Baptist University.