Virginia Man Named Principal Of Pine View School

Sarasota County's gifted and talented school will have a new principal in place next school year to replace longtime principal Steve Largo.

Superintendent Lori White has named Stephen Covert, 41, who currently serves as executive director of Human Resources for Spotsylvania County Virginia Schools, is scheduled to begin July 1 as principal of the school, pending School Board approval. He will succeed Steve Largo, who has been principal of Pine View since 1988. The school, located in Osprey, serves intellectually gifted students in grades two-12. 

“I am being entrusted with a unique gift,” said Covert. “Pine View is one of the most widely recognized and acclaimed schools for gifted students in the nation. I also know I have some big shoes to fill as Steve Largo retires, but I couldn’t be more excited to build on the school’s reputation and success.”

The principal search process began with a site analysis at the school in November. Pine View students, parents, staff and community members were invited to attend two meetings to give their input about the qualities they would like to see in their next principal.

A panel of interviewers, including Steve Cantees, executive director of High Schools for Sarasota County Schools, Sonia Figaredo-Alberts, executive director of Pupil Support Services, other district and school administrators, Pine View teachers, a parent and a student, met with six finalists for the position. Cantees and Figaredo-Alberts considered the input from those sessions and narrowed the field.  After another round of interviews with the remaining candidates, including meetings with Superintendent White, Covert emerged as the top contender.

“Dr. Covert is an excellent choice as the next principal of Pine View,” said Cantees. “It was no easy task to find someone who will fit that school community as well as Steve Largo has for 25 years, but with help from parents, students, staff and administrators, I believe we’ve accomplished it.”

“Dr. Covert truly understands gifted education and recognizes the importance of addressing the various components of giftedness: intellectual, social and emotional,” Figaredo-Alberts said.

Covert began his career in 1993 as a Spanish teacher at Spotsylvania High School. For the Spotsylvania district he also served as assistant principal and as principal of high schools and middle schools, and as director of Human Resources and assistant superintendent, before being named executive director of Human Resources in July 2012. Covert has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., and a collateral faculty member at the Central Virginia Leadership Academy at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He was a member of the Gifted Advisory Board for the Spotsylvania district. 

Covert earned a doctorate in Education and a master’s degree in Education, Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature/Geography from Mary Washington College.

Covert and his wife Amy have two sons: Benjamin, 9, and Barrett, 4.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for me and my family,” said Covert. “I’m so impressed with how warm and welcoming people have been. We look forward to becoming a part of this community.”