The St. Vrain Valley School District hired five new school principals for the fall.

At Longmont’s Skyline High School, Anthony Barela will be the new principal. He has served as the principal at Longmont’s Sunset Middle School since 2018. He will replace Heidi Ringer, who has been the school’s principal since 2013.

“I will give everything that I’ve got every day,” Barela said. “I look forward to this opportunity and getting to know this wonderful community.”

LaunchEd, the district’s virtual school, will welcome Ann Reed as its new principal. Reed, who previously worked as a teacher and an assistant principal and principal at Longs Peak Middle, currently serves as the district’s executive director of assessment. She will replace Principal Julie Read, who is retiring after 23 years in the district.

“I’m very fortunate, and it’s an honor to have this opportunity,” Reed said.

At Firestone’s Centennial Elementary School, Jennifer Byxbe will be the new principal. She previously worked as an elementary teacher at Legacy Elementary and, since 2019, has been the assistant principal at Legacy. She will replace Principal Shirley Jirik.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges and rewards that come with being a principal,” Byxbe said.

Erie Elementary School’s new principal will be Amy Smythe. She has worked as an elementary school principal in the Poudre School District since 2013. She will replace Principal Lauren Eker, who is in her ninth year at the school.

“I’m so excited to continue my professional journey,” she said.

At Indian Peaks Elementary School in Longmont, Karen Smith will be the new principal. Smith has worked as a St. Vrain Valley professional learning coach and, since 2019, has been the district’s elementary language arts coordinator.

She will replace Principal Kathi Jo Walder, who is retiring after 38 years in education and is in her 10th year at Indian Peaks. Walder started in St. Vrain Valley in 2001 as a fifth grade teacher. She also has worked in the district as a teaching coach and as a principal at Timberline PK-8, Loma Linda Elementary and Spangler Elementary.

“I am honored, I am inspired and I am committed to continuing that really important work,” she said, referencing Walder’s tenure as principal.