Schools
Ross Elementary Assistant Transfers to West View to Take Principal Position
Jesse Simpson, who replaces Marc Thornton, will assume his new role on August 4 at a salary of $83,783.
students will again see a new face in the principal's office this school year. The Board of Directors appointed Jesse Simpson the building’s new leader Tuesday.
Simpson will transfer to West View from where he served as assistant principal last school year, taking over the top post from Marc Thornton who recently at Mt. Lebanon School District.
Simpson will assume his new role on August 4 at a salary of $83,783.
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Before coming to North Hills, Simpson served as an elementary school principal, assistant principal and sixth-grade teacher at Morongo Unified School District in San Bernardino County, CA.
“Mr. Simpson proved to be an exceptional educational leader for our Ross school community during a time of transition and construction,” said Joseph Goodnack, North Hills superintendent in a district press release.
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For some West View Elementary parents, the addition of Simpson is encouraging, but they are familiar with new principals. The school's frequent turnover has become an issue of concern for some parents.
“We are cautiously optimistic,” said West View Parent Teacher Association Secretary Alyssa Ohm.
Since 2008, a different principal has led West View each school year. Temporary principal Walter Rodriguez preceded Thornton, who previously was principal. Seville Elementary was slated for closure and Rodriquez’s temporary appointment was part of the planned elementary school consolidations. Frank Brettschneider held the head post as a substitute in 2008-09 after taking over from Mark Kline, who was principal from 2003 to 2008.
Ohm, a mother of a first-grader and a third-grader, said she feels that lack of continuity was difficult for everyone in the school.
“Everything changes. Teachers have to learn a new system. Students have to learn a new system and even parents have to learn a new system.”
West View PTA President Chris Nolan said she hopes those issues are behind the West View school community with Simpson’s appointment.
“We are very excited. We have heard great things,” said Nolan, a mother of students in first, third and fifth grades.
