Students at Lincoln Heights Elementary walked into school Aug. 13, to find a new face greeting them at the door: Dr. Derrick Shelton, who stood outside the Woodlawn building welcoming families as the school's new principal.

Shelton replaces Dawn Bailey, who retired after 12 years leading Lincoln Heights and 35 years as an educator in Southwest Ohio. Bailey was the school's longest-serving principal and a recipient of the Rev. Bennett Walker Smith Award, presented at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.

The new principal brings more than 20 years of education experience to the role, according to a Princeton City Schools announcement. He has served as an elementary special education teacher, intervention specialist and school administrator. His career has spanned school systems in Ohio, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina and New York. He previously served as principal at Reynoldsburg City Schools and as superintendent of the Columbus Arts & Technology Academy.

Before entering education, Shelton spent more than eight years as a police officer, including six years with the Cincinnati Police Department. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Superintendent Dr. Mari Phillips visited Lincoln Heights on opening day and met with Shelton. Phillips, who took over as superintendent Aug. 1 after more than 40 years with the district, said in April, when her appointment was announced, that "Princeton has always held a special place in my heart … I am honored to return and serve the district in this role."

It is the first school year with both a new building principal and a new district superintendent at Lincoln Heights, located at 1113 Adams St. in the Woodlawn area.

As we reported Aug. 12, the 2026-27 year opened on a staggered schedule. Grades 1–5 started Aug. 13. Kindergarten's first full day is Aug. 17, under the district's theme for the year: "Every Student, Every Opportunity."