Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tricia Roddy, Director of Communications

513-864-1093 or troddy@vikingmail.org

Princeton City Schools Announces Administrative Leadership Appointments

PRINCETON, OH - April 4, 2025 - Princeton City Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of three educational leaders to key administrative positions for the upcoming academic year. The district has named Dr. Tyler Arnold as the next principal at Princeton Community Middle School, Dr. Melinda Reichelt as the Assistant Principal at Princeton High School, and Mrs. Ericka Zaleta Lastra as the principal at Heritage Hill Elementary School. Approved at the Princeton Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 31st, these positions are effective on August 1, 2025.

"We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional educational leaders to our administrative team," said G. Elgin Card, Superintendent of Princeton City Schools. "Each brings a wealth of experience, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to student success that aligns perfectly with our district's mission to empower each student for college, career, and life success.”

Dr. Tyler G. Arnold, Princeton Community Middle School Principal

Dr. Arnold comes to Princeton from Milford Exempted Village School District, where he has served as principal since August 2021. Under his leadership, Milford achieved distinction as the premier educational institution in Clermont County, earning a Five-Star rating in gap closing and graduation rates that surpassed Ohio Department of Education standards.

A passionate and purpose-driven educator, Dr. Arnold specializes in building authentic connections and implementing effective systems that enhance student achievement and growth. His approach to leadership involves careful analysis of information, prioritizing stakeholder input, and making well-informed decisions that advance educational excellence for all.

Dr. Arnold holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Capella University (2017), a Master of Arts in Education from Earlham College (2010), and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The College of Wooster (2009).

Dr. Melinda Reichelt, Princeton High School Assistant Principal

Dr. Reichelt returns to Princeton City Schools with extensive leadership experience in secondary education. She previously served as Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning at Mount Healthy City Schools since August 2022, where she led curriculum selection, implementation, and monitoring; directed data-driven improvement initiatives; and provided coaching to principals and teachers.

Her career in education administration includes three years as Associate Principal at Lakota Academy, where she supervised special education services, managed school budgets, led data management initiatives, and maintained school culture plans. Dr. Reichelt is no stranger to Princeton, having served as English Teacher and Department Chair at Princeton High School from 2014 to 2017.

Dr. Reichelt earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Miami University in 2021. She brings expertise in teacher evaluation, curriculum development, and specialized training in supporting children affected by the opioid crisis. Her background also includes experience as an Innovative Teaching and Learning Coach at Butler Tech and teaching positions in Indiana, Louisiana, and Nicaragua.

Mrs. Ericka Zaleta Lastra, Heritage Hill Elementary School Principal

Mrs. Zaleta Lastra joins Princeton City Schools as an accomplished educational leader with expertise in multilingual education and school improvement. She most recently served as Assistant Principal at the Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies in Cincinnati Public Schools, a Title 1 dual language immersion school serving 570 students in grades PK-8.

During her tenure as Assistant Principal, Mrs. Zaleta Lastra led several transformative initiatives, including redesigning the middle school structure to incorporate leveled language classes and advanced coursework. This resulted in 81% of students enrolling in at least one advanced class. She developed specialized programming for Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE), revamped the dual language immersion program, and implemented a comprehensive school-wide ESL framework.

Her leadership significantly improved school culture, with a 75% reduction in discipline incidents through strategic systems implementation. Prior to her administrative role, Mrs. Zaleta Lastra taught grades 4-8 Math, Science, Spanish, and ESL at the same school while also serving as Lead Teacher, Building Testing Coordinator, and Chair of the Instructional Leadership Team.

Mrs. Zaleta Lastra brings to Princeton her expertise in mission and vision alignment, stakeholder engagement, operations management, diverse instructional strategies, and data-driven decision-making. She is a native Spanish speaker with advanced proficiency in Excel and specialized training in SIOP implementation and restorative practices.

Ms. Tonya West Wright, Assistant Superintendent, added, “Dr. Arnold, Dr. Reichelt, and Mrs. Zaleta Lastra will bring the energy and passion to support the educational needs for empowering each student in their buildings. They are excellent additions to the team of principals at Princeton City Schools.”

The district will host welcome receptions for families, students, and community members to meet these new leaders before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

About Princeton City Schools

Princeton City Schools serve approximately 6,000 students across 11 schools in Cincinnati, Ohio. The district is committed to empowering each student for college, career, and life success.

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Karl Kennell, (513) 864-2947

Tricia Roddy, troddy@vikingmail.org

Mary Koik, ABT, (202) 367-1861 x7231

04/03/2025

WOODLAWN STUDENTS RECEIVE GRANT TO VISIT NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER

Mr. Kennell received competitive grant from American Battlefield Trust’s

History Field Trip Grant Program

(Washington, D.C.) — Woodlawn Elementary’s Mr. Kennell and his 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms will soon head to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, thanks to a grant from the American Battlefield Trust’s History Field Trip Grant Program. This trip will provide students with an exceptional, hands-on history learning opportunity. Grants are awarded based on a competitive national application process, demonstrating Mr. Kennell’s commitment to excellence in the classroom.

Woodlawn Elementary School is part of the Princeton City School District, which currently only approves field trips that are grant-funded due to recent budget cuts.

“Education is most powerful when it comes to life beyond the classroom. I am thrilled for our trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, where students will step into history, connect with powerful stories of courage, and deepen their understanding of freedom and resilience,” Kennell shared. “This experience will ignite curiosity, inspire critical thinking, and leave a lasting impact on their learning journey!”

Superintendent of Princeton City Schools, Mr. G. Elgin Card, added, “We are excited for this opportunity for our students! The experiential learning that this trip provides to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is memorable and valuable. Thanks to Mr. Kennell’s dedication and the financial support of the American Battlefield Trust, our students will engage with history in a way that fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs that shaped our nation.”

“Woodlawn Elementary School is proud to be a grant recipient. This grant opens the door for our students to experience history firsthand, beyond the pages of a textbook. Visiting the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will provide them with a powerful perspective on resilience, justice, and the fight for freedom—lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime,” explained Sherry Thompson, principal.

The American Battlefield Trust is the largest battlefield land preservation organization in the country, having saved more than 58,000 acres of hallowed ground across 24 states. Through visiting preserved battlefields and walking in the footsteps of the citizen soldiers who fought there, the Trust aims to provide a foundation of good citizenship for the leaders of tomorrow. The Trust strives to produce excellent educational resources in a variety of formats for both educators and the public alike, ensuring that Americans never forget how their country was forged.

Every year, the Trust receives applications from classrooms across the country to participate in the History Field Trip Grant Program, which offers funding and assistance to K-12 teachers planning field trips to Civil War, War of 1812, or Revolutionary War battlefields and related historic sites. During the 2022-2023 school year, more than 10,000 students from 33 states took part.

“These kids get a chance to go to where history was made, where our country was created and defined,” said Trust President David Duncan of the History Field Trip Grant Program recipients. “Battlefields are outdoor classrooms that will teach future Americans about our democratic republic.”

Mr. Kennell has enormous enthusiasm for teaching history. He is excited to utilize the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center as an outdoor classroom that will give his students a meaningful and memorable experience. The American Battlefield Trust is proud to support and empower such excellent educators as they inspire the next generation of proud Americans.

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.

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