Suncoast Community High School - Principals

Principals

• Martin "Marty" Gold (1971–1978)
• Ulysses "Smitty" Smith (1978–1984)
• Fredeva "Freddie" Nelson (1984–1987) - was removed June 30, 1987 "as the district struggled to overcome bad publicity." Nelson was demoted to an attendance specialist tracking truancy, and her salary dropped more than $20,000, down to $36,131. Nelson filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming the reason for her demotion was that she was female, black and was 50 years old. The Commission ruled March 9, 1989, that the school district did not discriminate. Nelson later became principal of the Redemptive Life Academy in West Palm Beach.
• Terry Andrews (1987–1989) - called "Rambo" and "Arnold Schwarzenegger" by students because of his weightlifting and reputation as a "no-nonsense principal" who reduced absenteeism and improved discipline, Andrews, from Gainesville, was transferred to Palm Beach Lakes Community High School in 1989. In 1989 he was one of 18 principals awarded Education Commissioner Betty Castor's Principal Recognition Award for Outstanding Leadership. He also was a black belt in Taekwondo.
• Kay A. Carnes (1989–2004) - Carnes presided over the first 15 years of magnet programs. Recognized as one of four outstanding Florida high school principals in the state by Education Commissioner Frank Brogan in 1998, Carnes was credited with much of the magnet programs' success. She was also noted for an exceptionally long term as principal of the same school in a district where principal turnover is high. Carnes retired at the end of the 2004 school year, having been recognized as an "energetic...pioneering principal."
• Gloria A. Crutchfield (2004–2008) - Crutchfield's tenure was marked by vast improvements in the school's standing both nationally and internationally. Under her leadership, Suncoast went from not having been previously ranked by two respected publications, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report to high ranking on their lists of "Best High Schools in the nation of #3 and #51 respectively. Dr. Crutchfield was criticized for losing some support from the community. On May 4, 2008, it was announced that Gloria Crutchfield would be leaving Suncoast to help improve the standing of nearby John F. Kennedy Middle School. Superintendent Art Johnson says that the move is "a promotion"; the Palm Beach Post wrote that "Crutchfield's departure may be a relief for some faculty members, parents and the student body. In three years, 37 teachers have left, more than one-third of the staff according the Palm Beach Post, but it failed to mention that most left due to retirement after having served many years with Suncoast or to pursue other career opportunities. Crutchfield was also criticized for "jetting to Canada, California, Nevada, Tennessee, the Bahamas and Paris for school business trips and training seminars" paid for by the school district. Overall, she was not well-liked
• Linda Cartlidge (2008–present). The former West Riviera Elementary School teacher and adjunct professor is the current principal.