Starting next school year, the De Soto School District will have a new principal for Vineland Elementary School and a new director for the Early Childhood Center.
The Board of Education has promoted Melissa Dunnegan, the school’s assistant principal, to take over the role of principal at Vineland on July 1, replacing Dustin Washam who is leaving June 30 to become principal at North St. Francois County Middle School.
Diana Casey also received a promotion and will assume the role of director of the Early Childhood Center on July 1, taking over for Nancy Schmitz, who has served as director since 2018 and is retiring on June 30.
Washam is being paid $94,531.25 this school year, and Dunnegan will be paid $92,343.75 as principal next school year. Her current salary is $73,987.50, said Nicole Spruell, communications director.
Spruell said Casey’s current salary is $57,325, and next school year she will be a 12-month employee and will be paid a $75,000 salary. Schmitz, who has been with the district since 2008, is a 10.5-month employee and is paid $74,425.
Vineland Elementary
Washam, who came to the district as Vineland’s principal in 2021, announced his resignation on Jan. 16. The school board voted unanimously during a Feb. 6 special board meeting to name Dunnegan as principal. Four internal candidates had applied for the position, Spruell said.
Dustin Washam
“We are confident in Mrs. Dunnegan’s ability to serve as principal at Vineland Elementary,” Superintendent Ron Farrow said. “She brings a wealth of experience, having dedicated the last 16 years to serving within the De Soto 73 School District. Her deep understanding of our schools, students and community makes her well-equipped to lead Vineland Elementary successfully.”
Dunnegan, who began her career in 2008 at Windsor and moved on to the De Soto School District in 2009, was named assistant principal in 2021. Prior to that, she taught gifted students. She also was a first grade teacher, sixth grade teacher and dean of students at De Soto.
She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in administration (kindergarten through eighth grade) from Missouri Baptist University. She has a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in gifted learning from the University of Missouri.
Dunnegan said she is excited to step into the new leadership role at Vineland and is embracing the changes ahead while continuing to build on the positive momentum of recent years.
Melissa Dunnegan
She also said she is eager to connect with new families and strengthen relationships within the Vineland community.
Dunnegan, 39, and her husband, Andrew, live in De Soto and have one daughter, Norah.
During Washam’s time as principal at Vineland, he was honored with the 2023 Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals Exemplary New Principal Award.
“During Mr. Washam’s tenure, Vineland has seen growth in student achievement, including obtaining the top scores in the county in fourth-grade math,” Farrow said. “We appreciate his contributions to the school and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Prior to serving as principal at De Soto, Washam spent 17 years teaching eighth grade science and coaching middle school basketball.
Washam’s salary at North County will be $92,603, Superintendent Brandon Gregory said.
Little Dragons
Schmitz submitted her resignation in October, and the school board voted unanimously on Jan. 16 to name Casey as her successor.
Spruell said the district received five internal applications for the director position.
Casey, 41, of Festus has been with De Soto School District for the past six years and currently teaches seventh- and eighth- grade English for the special education department.
Casey, an Ohio native, has 20 years of experience in education, teaching math, science, English and special education. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Hiram College before starting her career in California. She earned a master’s degree in education with a focus on leadership and administration from Chapman College.
Diana Casey
She and her family moved to Festus after her husband, Michael, completed his service in the Marine Corps. They have two children, Zac and Lainey.
“I am thrilled to start my position at (the Early Childhood Center) next school year,” Casey said. “With an already amazing team and the anticipated growth with the addition of (a satellite) pre-K at Athena, there are many exciting things to look forward to.
“The best part about this new position is being part of the amazing team of teachers at the ECC. I look forward to meeting and fostering positive relationships with the Little Dragons families and helping De Soto continue to make positive gains for our district.”
Schmitz, 52, of Oakville, began working for the school district in 2008 as an assistant director of Special Services.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to be a Dragon for the past 17 years,” she said. “Throughout my tenure, while fulfilling several positions, I have had the opportunity to work beside some of the best educators and leaders, developed deep and long-lasting friendships, and have been entrusted with some of the most vulnerable and challenging students which has led the way for many enriching interactions and fond memories.”
Schmitz said the ECC has racked up many accomplishments over the years.
Nancy Schmitz
“But some my proudest are being named Early Childhood Program of the Year (in 2023) by the Missouri School Boards’ Association, increasing our enrollment every year consistently, opening full-day class options, servicing hundreds of Early Childhood Special Education students, and helping students and families access resources within our community,” she said. “We have worked collaboratively within our own building, other agencies and the elementaries to ensure each child is prepared for kindergarten and ‘big school’ with the skills and support in place to be successful.”
Schmitz said she will miss everyone in the district and community, but she is looking forward to the next phase of life.
“I am excited about my upcoming retirement and am most looking forward to traveling more with my husband and friends, as well as visiting our children,” she said. “I plan to spend more time at our family property and pursue new hobbies.”
Schmitz and her husband, Eric, have three children – Will, Nicole and Ella.
“We are incredibly grateful for Nancy’s dedication and leadership in growing our Early Childhood Center program,” Farrow said. “When she first started, our ECC program served approximately 60 children, and under her guidance, that number has now grown to nearly 180.
“Her commitment to excellence not only expanded opportunities for our youngest learners but also earned our ECC the prestigious Early Childhood Education Program of the Year Award in 2023 from the state of Missouri, recognizing outstanding pre-K programs across the state. As Nancy prepares for her well-deserved retirement, we celebrate her incredible impact and wish her all the best in this next chapter.”