Five Belton ISD schools will have a new principal for the start of the 2023-2024 school year in August.

The Board of Trustees named Fredrick Lilly II as the new principal of North Belton Middle School at its April 17 meeting. 

Lilly, who is in his ninth year in education, currently serves as the middle school principal in the Camden Fairview School District in Camden, Ark., where he is from. He’s previously served as a teacher, coach and assistant principal. Lilly holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas-Monticello and a master’s degree from Mississippi College.

He replaces Arturo Lomeli, the district’s executive director of secondary school leadership, who’s been serving as interim principal since November.

A familiar face will take the helm of James L. Burrell Elementary, which is currently under construction in the northern part of the district. Trustees named Julee Manley, the current principal of Sparta Elementary, as the school’s first principal.

Before the school opens its doors to students in January 2024, Manley will begin hiring staff and working with the community to pick a mascot and start developing the school’s culture and traditions.

Manley is in her 21st year as an educator. She has worked as a teacher, campus instructional specialist and assistant principal across several surrounding school districts. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a master’s degree from Texas A&M-Central Texas.

With Manley’s new assignment, district leaders will be looking to fill the principal position at Sparta Elementary. They are also looking to replace principals Dawn Schiller at Southwest Elementary and Jill Ross at Lake Belton High School. 

Schiller will move to a new administration role at the end of this school year while Ross has accepted a principal position in San Angelo.

Staff and families at each of these campuses received an email survey this week asking for their feedback on desired qualities and characteristics of the next principal. That input will be used during the interview process to identify the best candidate to lead the school. 

Educators interested in joining Belton ISD can view current job opportunities and submit applications at ​​https://bit.ly/3y9oiy9.