Frances Brandon Pickett Elementary and Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary will have new principals for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board and Superintendent Perry Berry announced the new appointments.

According to a press release, Stacey Martin will lead Frances Brandon Pickett Elementary.

"QCUSD is an excellent district," Martin stated. "I am thrilled to now join all of the exceptional educators within Queen Creek in our work to educate our children."

Martin has worked in public education since 2005 as a teacher, coach and administrator within the Higley Unified and Chandler Unified school districts. She has served in Chandler for the last five years as a dean and assistant principal. Martin earned her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and has  master’s degrees in elementary education and educational leadership. 

Dawn Harrington will be helming Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary.

"I am honored and proud to be the next principal of Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary and to be joining the Queen Creek Unified School District," Harrington stated. "I will lead with a commitment to ensure all of our staff and students feel safe, cared for and are given the opportunities to realize every one of them has genius."  

Harrington joins QCUSD with more than 16 years of experience in public education, the release stated. She has served as a teacher, school improvement specialist and assistant principal. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Arizona State University and her master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Both principals will begin their new roles in July.

"We're proud to welcome Stacey Martin and Dawn Harrington to QCUSD and we're looking forward to seeing them lead our students and staff to continued success," Berry stated in the release.