“A number of these changes are in name only to help provide clarity for the positions these individuals currently serve,” Whitaker said. “The most noteworthy of these is a change from three ‘chief’ positions to two assistant superintendent titles.”

JPS last used an assistant superintendent title for its school business official roughly a decade ago. The last instruction- and curriculum-focused assistant superintendent was Deke Kathman, who served in the role prior to becoming superintendent of schools in 2008.

In this new structure, Tina Sandstrom will now serve as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and School Improvement. In this role, Sandstrom will continue to oversee the district’s principals and will now oversee the district’s curriculum coordinators, curriculum development and instruction. She has served the district since 2001 and previously served as principal of C.V. Bush Elementary School, director of elementary education, and most recently as Chief Director of Schools.

Brittnay Spry will now serve as Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, overseeing the district’s finance and budget, food service, buildings and grounds, and transportation functions. Spry has been with JPS since 2020 as both the School Business Official and most recently as Chief Director of Finance and Budget.

Brittnay Spry

Jessie Joy will now serve as Executive Director of Information and Student Services and continue to oversee the district’s technology, student services, and special education programs. Joy has served the district for 29 years, holding roles as math department chair, math curriculum coordinator, and Director of Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment before becoming Chief Information Officer in 2018.

Existing positions filled by the following people will be modified to better suit their new duties: Kristin Alexander will be assistant school business executive; Denise Pusateri will be coordinator of STEM; Maureen Kessler will serve as coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services; and Tamu Reinhardt will now serve as coordinator of Community, Family Engagement, and Inclusivity and continue to oversee the community navigators.

The two currently unfilled coordinator positions will support Arts and Humanities, and School Improvement and Innovation.

“We are fortunate to have an incredible team of educators and professionals at JPS,” Whitaker said. “I am pleased that we can continue to do great work and hopefully put them in a position to be successful so as to best support our students, staff, and families.”

Jessie Joy