Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that Mr. Charles Elsey – currently serving as an Assistant Principal at Booker Middle School – has been appointed as the new Principal of Venice Middle School. He will assume his new role effective Monday, June 1. 

“I am honored to serve as the new principal of Venice Middle School,” said Elsey. “I am passionate about student success through strategic school improvement. Our team will remain committed to supporting the needs of all students, teachers, and staff members as we work together to deliver an excellent teaching, learning, and work environment for all members of our school community.”

Mr. Elsey earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology, both from the University of Akron. He has an additional Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. Elsey holds endorsements in Gifted, Reading, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and has certifications in Social Science (Grades 5-9), Educational Leadership (All Levels), Exceptional Student Education (Grades K–12), and English (Grades 6–12).

Before assuming his current role as an Assistant Principal at Booker Middle School in July 2025, Elsey served as an Assistant Principal at Woodland Middle School. He has also served as a Behavior Specialist at Sarasota Middle School, a Grade 7-8 ELA teacher at Sarasota Middle School, and a Grade 8 ELA teacher at Heron Creek Middle School, among other prior roles.