WSLR News reporter Ed James III gauges reactions in Newtown and beyond.
Original Air Date: May 20, 2026
Host: After 15 years of leadership by Dr. Rachel Shelley, Booker High School has a new principal. Ed James III is gauging reactions in and around Newtown to the man stepping into one of Sarasota’s culturally most significant jobs.
Ed James III: Jamal Crook is a former college athlete. He arrives with a reputation as a young, tech-forward and innovative educator from Hillsborough County. His appointment has sparked intense conversations throughout the community about representation, legacy and what lies ahead for Booker Nation.
To understand what Booker High School means to Newtown, envision that this isn’t just an institution—it is a generational anchor. So when the search for a new principal began, local leaders and families held their breath, demanding a seat at the table…