Staley Named New Leader of Intermediate School

Sunnyvale ISD’s Board of Trustees named SMS Assistant Principal Brittany Dlabaj the new principal of Sunnyvale Elementary School at their November meeting. 

Dlabaj’s move comes as Sara Staley, the elementary school’s current top administrator, takes on the role of principal at the new Sunnyvale Intermediate School. 

“In her time with Sunnyvale, Mrs. Dlabaj has proven to be a strong instructional leader while developing a great rapport with our teachers and students,” Superintendent Doug Williams said. “We know that she is prepared to continue the great work that has been done at Sunnyvale Elementary.”

Dlabaj is an experienced administrator with an extensive background in elementary education. She joins the elementary staff after serving as the assistant principal at SMS for the past four years, gaining valuable knowledge about SISD’s systems and procedures. Prior that that, she spent five years as the assistant principal at Walter Floyd Elementary School in Mesquite ISD. She also spent several years in the elementary classroom in Mesquite ISD.

“I am very excited to move back to an elementary school,” Dlabaj said. “I was previously an elementary assistant principal for 5 years before coming to Sunnyvale. Although I love the middle school and our sweet kids here, I can't wait for the hugs and the excitement the little ones bring into the school each day.”

Dlabaj will take over the reins from Sara Staley, who has successfully led the elementary school as principal for nearly four years. 

“I am excited to continue the wonderful work that Sara has been doing at the elementary school,” Dlabaj said. “Looking ahead to next year, when we become a PreK-2 campus, my vision for our youngest Raiders would be to create an environment where students are excited to come to school and where they will learn what it means to be a Raider. The primary years are so important in reading development, and it will be my goal to help their teachers instill a love of reading in each student.”

Staley will take on her new responsibilities at the Intermediate School principal beginning in January in order to promote a smooth transition for all elementary, intermediate and middle school students. Dlabaj will move to the elementary campus in January, as well. 

“Brittany and I have a great working relationship,” Staley said. “We share many of the same values and core beliefs in educating our students. We attend trainings and conferences together and I know that we will work to make sure that we maintain a Pre-K-5th grade campus feeling within the district.” 

Dlabaj and her husband, James, have two children: Owen and Eli, who are students in the elementary and middle school. The family lives in Sunnyvale.