Carmel Valley Middle School, SDUHSD Taps New Principal

Carmel Valley Middle School will be welcoming a new 'Bobcat' to the family

Superintendent Eric Dill of the San Diegutio High School District, stated that current CVMS principal Cara Dolnik, will be moving to Dieguno Middle School starting next year as current DNMS principal Jeffery Copeland will be leaving, along with AP Guen Butler. Dill says that current leadership is required at DNMS as school site leadership will be rocky, and "it was important to appoint an experienced principal to the school with a history of success in our school district". Staring in early June, Victoria Kim will be shadowing alongside CVMS principal Dolnik.
Message from SDUHSD Superintendent Eric Dill:

Dear Carmel Valley Middle School Families - I am pleased to announce that I will be recommending to the Board of Trustees the appointment of Ms. Victoria (Vicki) Kim as the new principal of Carmel Valley Middle School (CVMS). Ms. Kim comes to CVMS from the Bay Area where she has been a highly successful teacher and site administrator at both the middle and high school levels in communities very similar to Carmel Valley. Ms. Kim began her teaching career just after graduating from college by teaching English in Korea for a year before moving to California where she taught Physical Education at the middle school level and English, English as a Second Language, and Journalism at the high school level. Ms. Kim became an assistant principal in the San Jose Unified School District and then at Palo Alto High School where she has served since 2013. Throughout her decade of experience as a site administrator, Ms. Kim has led a wide variety of initiatives involving equity, student achievement, guidance and counseling, master scheduling, and student safety and wellness. Recently, she has focused on the important work of balancing the need to improve student health and wellness while continuing to strive for academic excellence. Ms. Kim grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, where she received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and went on to earn her Master's degree in Educational Leadership at San Jose State University. Ms. Kim will relocate to San Diego with her husband and toddler after she finishes the current school year in Palo Alto, but will visit the Carmel Valley MS this spring to meet with students, staff, and families and will be in continuous communication with Principal Cara Dolnik and district staff to ensure a smooth transition. When accepting the position, Ms. Kim said, "I'm incredibly excited to become a Carmel Valley Middle School Bobcat!"

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Kim to Carmel Valley Middle School!

Sincerely,

Eric Dill

Superintendent

On March 26th, Eric Dill announced the departure of Cara Dolnik from CVMS:

Dear Carmel Valley Middle School Families: By now, Mrs. Dolnik has shared with you that she has accepted the opportunity to lead Diegueno Middle School beginning next school year. I want to thank Cara for accepting this next step in her career. The reason for this move is because both administrators at Diegueno have chosen to leave the school at the conclusion of this school year. With both administrators leaving, it was important to appoint an experienced principal to the school with a history of success in our school district. I know this has come as a surprise to you. We will be immediately begin searching for a new principal for CVMS to start next school year. The position will be advertised tomorrow to find the best-qualified candidate. We will provide opportunities for the teachers, parents, students and staff to provide input during the selection process to find a principal who matches the unique culture and values of Carmel Valley Middle School. Our goal is to recommend appointment of a new principal before the end of the school year so that the new principal can work with Cara to ensure a smooth transition. In the meantime, Cara is fully committed to Carmel Valley Middle School through the end of the year. Please join me in wishing Cara well in her new endeavor. Sincerely, Eric Dill Superintendent