The Cape Henlopen School District announced several administration updates for the 2026-27 school year, including leadership transitions, new administrators, and the retirement of two longtime principals and one assistant principal.

These changes reflect the district’s commitment to strong leadership, collaboration and continued success for students and schools across the district.   

District officials extend sincere appreciation to two principals and one assistant who will retire at the conclusion of the current school year: Dr. Kimberly Corbidge, principal of Lewes Elementary; Dr. Doris Person, principal of Rehoboth Elementary; and Tim Slade, an assistant principal at Cape Henlopen High School, who will retire this fall. All have made lasting contributions to their school communities through years of dedicated service.  

Assistant principal transitions for the 2026-27 school year include: Dr. Jessica Hazzard to the Sussex Consortium from Cape High; Dr. James McDowell to Beacon Middle from Love Creek Elementary; Drew Coulter to Love Creek Elementary from Cape High; Dontez Collins to Frederick D. Thomas Middle from Beacon Middle; Dr. Meghan Catts to Cape High from Frederick D. Thomas Middle; and Julie Hickman to Cape High from H.O. Brittingham Elementary.

For the 2026-27 school year, Alfredo Rodriguez has been promoted to principal at Lewes Elementary.

The district welcomes new administrators Matthew Keen, principal at Rehoboth Elementary; James “Jed” Bell, assistant principal at Cape High; Dr. Jennifer Chaffinch, assistant principal at H.O. Brittingham Elementary; and Dr. Chelsey Wharton, assistant principal at Lewes Elementary.

"We are incredibly grateful for the leadership, dedication and lasting impact our retiring principals and assistant principal have had on our schools and the Cape community,” said Dr. Jenny Nauman, district superintendent. “As we look ahead, we are excited to welcome new leaders and thoughtfully align our administrative teams to best support our students, staff and families. Strong leadership matters, and these transitions are centered on continuing the stability, collaboration and student-first focus that define Cape. We remain committed to keeping our school communities informed and ensuring a smooth and successful start to the 2026-27 school year.”