Windsor C-1 school officials reached outside the district to find the next assistant principal for Windsor Middle School.
Don Orelup, who teaches math at Hancock Place Middle School, was hired for the administrative position. He will replace Michael Holland, who has been promoted to principal at Windsor Elementary School, taking over the job currently held by Denise Funston, who is leaving the district at the end of the school year for a job as an assistant superintendent with the Festus R-6 School District.
Board of Education members voted 4-0 on March 27 to hire Orelup. Board members Michael Dubis, Dustin Schwartz and Chris Casey were absent from the meeting.
Orelup will start his job at Windsor on July 1 and will be paid a $72,000 annual salary for the 2024-2025 school year, Superintendent Jason King said.
Orelup’s salary at Hancock Place is $59,000.00, said Kimberly Beranek, Hancock School District payroll and personnel director.
Holland’s salary this school year is $97,082, and he will be paid $105,000 as a principal next school year.
Orelup was selected from a pool of 11 candidates, King said.
“We are looking forward to seeing Mr. Orelup join our administrative team for the 2024-2025 school year,” he said. “We are confident that his leadership and passion for education will be of great benefit to the students and staff of Windsor Middle School.”
Orelup, 29, of Manchester said he started his teaching career at Cuba Middle School in the Crawford County R-2 School District. After teaching there for one year, he started teaching high school in the St. Louis Public Schools District.
He said he has taught at Hancock Middle School for the past three years.
“I wanted to be part of a school and community that really supports kids, and that wasn’t about getting certain test scores,” Orelup said. “Windsor does really well getting good test scores, but it is the way the teachers care about the kids and the community that I am excited about being part of.
“I hope I can continue the legacy of strong administration and strong support for teachers and kids.”
Orelup said he has gained leadership experience at Hancock Middle as the seventh-grade team lead, and he is looking forward to the opportunity to help lead a school building.
“It is a little less of a jump from one classroom to a whole building because I have been fortunate to help support all the teachers on my team and students on my grade level,” he said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to be on the larger scale and look at everything to support teachers and help teachers support kids.”
Orelup said one of his top goals will be to build relationships with students, teachers and families.
“That way when somebody does need something, I know what they need and how to find the resources to help them,” he said.
Orelup said he is working with Windsor Middle School Principal Greg Westermayer to prepare for his transition into the district.
Orelup also said he has been impressed with the staff members he has met at Windsor.
“I am seeing a commitment and passion from the teachers and the quality of educators at Windsor,” he said. “They are living the Windsor way, and I am honored to be part of that community.”