Cozby named interim Faith Academy head

The Faith Academy Board of Directors has voted to confirm Amy Cozby as interim head of school and principal for the 2018-19 school year, the board announced this week.

Cozby succeeds administrator Joe Rispoli, who submitted his resignation earlier this month. She was part of a five-person interim executive leadership team put into place by the board and was overseeing academics, teachers and counselors as the school's director of academics.

“For years, the Lord has been preparing Amy for such a time as this,” said Faith Academy director of operations and development Donna Holland Wilcox. “We are honored that she accepted this important responsibility, and we look forward to supporting her in every way.”

The Faith Academy executive leadership team now is comprised of: 

• Amy Cozby - Head of School, Principal & Director of Academics;

• Rusty Freeman - Director of Student Affairs & Chaplain;

• Donna Wilcox - Director of Operations & Development;

• Kim Hansard - Director of Administration & Office Manager;

• Jeremy Wentrcek - Director of Athletics.

School officials believe this realignment will have a tremendous impact on preparing for the 2018-2019 school year.

Faith Academy just wrapped up its 18th year with a string of accomplishments in academics and athletics. The class of 2018 graduated a commended student in the 2018 National Merit® Scholarship Program and the Lady Flames brought home the TAPPS 4A State Tennis Championship.

Faith Academy founder Dr. Stuart Nunnally rejoined the board of directors last September as chairman and was joined on the board by Marble Falls businesswoman Rhonda Coleman, Burnet businessman Mark Lunsford, and Burnet resident April Owens.

In October, Faith Academy partnered with ISM Consultants to work with a group of school stakeholders consisting of teachers, donors, board members, and community leaders on pinpointing obstacles, identifying resources, and developing a comprehensive five-year strategic plan.

The ISM consultant working with Faith Academy is Jerry Chambers, chief financial officer at The First Academy in Florida, a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade private Christian school with more than 1,450 students.

Last month, the school broke ground on construction of a new estimated $5.9 million athletic complex, with phase one being a new football field and track. Construction of the new complex by Hellas Construction is being funded with the assistance of a significant donation to the school. Officials had announced construction is expected to be complete in time for the 2018 football season, when Faith Academy will play six-man football.