Palo Alto District Announces Elementary School Administrative Changes

News submitted from the Palo Alto Unified School District:

Superintendent Dr. Max McGee announced a set of elementary school leadership changes that will become effective in the 2015-2016 school year.

“PAUSD is in a process of making systemic changes that will strengthen programs and services in our elementary schools and across the district. Drawing upon the deep skill sets, applicable knowledge, and meaningful experiences of each of these leaders will advance our vision that supports all students as we prepare them to thrive as global citizens in a rapidly changing world. Matching the expertise of these leaders with the districts’ critical needs is fundamental to our goal of continuous improvement, and I am confident they will make broad and important contributions to students, staff, and families in their new roles,” shared Superintendent McGee.

Current principals at Palo Verde, El Carmelo, Escondido, and Barron Park elementary schools will be taking on the following new roles in the 2015-2016 school year:

· Palo Verde Principal Anne Brown will become the principal at Barron Park Elementary

· El Carmelo Principal Chuck Merritt will become the principal at Escondido Elementary and serve as the District World Languages Administrator (PreK- 12)

· Escondido Principal Danae Reynolds will become the principal at El Carmelo Elementary

· Barron Park Principal Magdalena Fittoria will become a district-based Special Projects Administrator to support the full implementation of the recommendations from the Minority Achievement and Talent Development Advisory Committee; to expand the Response to Intervention (RTI) program; and to lead the design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative initiatives.

Principals will begin reaching out to staff and parent communities at their new assignments as the year progresses. PAUSD’s Assistant Superintendent Dr. Scott Bowers will work with the Palo Verde community to facilitate an inclusive process for finding the next Palo Verde principal.