Patrick Henry High and Westside Elementary get new principals

What happened

On June 9, 2026 the superintendent introduced two school leaders starting July 1, 2026. Ryan 'Ray' Duskens becomes principal of Patrick Henry High School; he was principal of Franklin County High School and earlier held assistant principal and acting principal posts in Roanoke City. Crystal Peitzel becomes interim principal of Westside Elementary School on a one-year term; she is currently Westside's assistant principal.

Why it matters to families

The principal sets the tone of a school and decides much of how it runs day to day. Patrick Henry is one of the division's two comprehensive high schools. Westside's appointment is interim and lasts one year, so that school will go through another leadership decision before 2027-28; the division said choosing its own assistant principal was intended to give continuity during the change.

The evidence

The recording of the June 9, 2026 meeting carries the superintendent introducing both appointments, their effective date of July 1, 2026, Mr. Duskens's prior posts at Franklin County High School, George Washington High School in Danville and earlier Roanoke City roles, and Ms. Peitzel's one-year interim term and current service as Westside's assistant principal, together with remarks from each.

The source