New principal takes helm at Water Spring Middle School

Water Spring Middle School has a new principal. 

Korey Bawden is taking the helm of the middle school halfway through the 2025-2026 school year. 

For the past four years, he has served as the principal at Thornebrooke Elementary School.

Bawden has been with Orange County Public Schools for 15 years, serving as a teacher, instructional coach, district math program specialist, assistant principal and principal. 

He is not stranger to West Orange County as he also has served as an assistant principal at Keene's Crossing Elementary in Horizon West. Many of those students now attend Water Spring Middle. 

"I am excited to reconnect with those students and families and continue building strong relationships within this vibrant community," he said in a Facebook post.

He began his career at Gotha Middle School, and in the Facebook post, he said he is "thrilled to return to the world of middle schools." 

"Although we are joining together halfway through the 2025-2026 school year, our shared commitment to excellence remains strong," he said. "Water Spring Middle has a proud tradition of success, and together we will ensure that every student thrives both academically and personally. We will continue to focus on creating a safe, positive and engaging learning environment where everyone feels welcomes, values and excited about learning."