Purple Star Council & Student Led Transition Team
Purple Star Rating for 2025-2028
Proud to be a Purple Star District!
We are thrilled to announce that Citrus County Schools is once again a Purple Star District! This prestigious designation honors schools that go above and beyond to support military-connected students and their families.
With this incredible achievement, 100 percent of our schools now hold the Purple Star distinction, and we couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and hard work it represents.
The Purple Star Program, established in 2021, highlights schools that go above and beyond to meet the needs of military families. This includes providing liaisons, student support, professional development for staff, and resources tailored to ensure military families feel supported and connected.
We are proud to support our military families and celebrate this achievement!
Purple Star Council & Student Led Transition Team
Information about school student-led transition programs can be obtained by contacting the Military Point of Contact (MPOC) at each of the following schools:
| School Name | (MPOC) | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| District Coordinator | Dr. Al Balk | 352-726-1931 |
| Academy of Environmental Science | Mrs. Tracy Buettner | 352-302-3319 |
| Citrus eSchool | Ms. Heather Wolfertz | 352-726-1931 |
| Citrus High School | Ms. Sabrina Paquin | 352-726-2241 |
| CREST | Mr. Eric Thornburg | 352-249-2104 |
| Crystal River High School | Ms. Leah Grady | 352-795-4641 |
| Lecanto High School | Mr. Brian Donovan | 352-746-2334 |
| Citrus Springs Middle School | Ms. Melony Siegendorf | 352-344-2244 |
| Crystal River Middle School | Ms. Dawn Balmert | 352-795-2116 |
| Inverness Middle School | Ms. Ashley Tourbin | 352-726-1471 |
| Lecanto Middle School | Mrs. Kelly Filipic | 352-746-2050 |
| Central Ridge Elementary School | Ms. Jennifer Irizarry | 352-344-3833 |
| Citrus Springs Elementary School | Mr. Frank Vilardi | 352-344-4079 |
| Crystal River Primary School | Ms. Terri Ryan | 352-795-2211 |
| Floral City Elementary School | Ms. Marlise Bushman | 352-726-1554 |
| Forest Ridge Elementary School | Ms. Shelley Schantz | 352-527-1808 |
| Hernando Elementary School | Ms. Laura Laven | 352-726-1833 |
| Homosassa Elementary School | Ms. Susanna Haberle | 352-628-2953 |
| Inverness Primary School | Ms. Alexis Cochran | 352-726-2632 |
| Lecanto Primary School | Mr. Jon Beaser | 352-746-2220 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary School | Ms. Taylor Cernich | 352-637-4400 |
| Rock Crusher Elementary School | Mrs. Ariel McNally | 352-795-2010 |
| Withlacoochee Technical College | Mr. Dylan Yeazel | 352-726-2430 |
Contact your school counselor, social worker or psychologist for more information on mental health referrals.
*Disclaimer -The list is provided as information to parents. No endorsement is given or implied for health and/or medical professionals services, and suppliers listed here in, nor any liability for errors or omissions by the Citrus County School Board.
Citrus County Schools
1007 West Main Street
Inverness, Florida 34450
(352) 726-1931