.png)
On September 10th Doreen Bracamontes resigned from her position as principal of Encinal Jr/Sr High School. The news came as a shock to students and staff. Bracamontes was hired as principal in June 2020 and had served as a middle school vice principal for four years before arriving at the school.
“This transition, like all transitions, carries a degree of stress and difficulty, but our team remains committed to supporting what we feel is an opportunity for growth for the entire school,” said superintendent Pasquale Scuderi.
The beginning of the year was not without challenges. 21% of the student body made schedule changes due to misplacement or over-enrollment.
With the sudden loss in administration, several Encinal teachers and staff are stepping out of the classroom to step into administrative roles. Vice principal Kirsten Snyder will act as interim principal until June 2022.
“I am sure this news has left the students with questions and wonderings," said Assistant Principal Kirstin Snyder. "The team is committed to all EHS students and the parent community. Our new admin team and our teacher leaders are student-centered and committed to making this transition successful.”
Ron Parodi, a veteran teacher leader at Encinal with an active administrative credential, will join the team as a full-time interim assistant principal.
“I'm happy to be contributing in whatever way that I can to the wonderful community at Encinal - a community that includes students, staff, and the thousands of parents and alumni... While I don't know exactly what challenges the months ahead will bring, sometimes new challenges can be exciting," said Parodi. "What I do know is that I'll be working with a good team of people in the front office - people who are smart, who work hard, and who care deeply about our school.”
Current teacher and former administrator Kevin Gorham will step away from the radio program in order to assume a part time Dean role in order to assist with athletics, activities, and some components of student and campus supervision.
“I think Parodi and Gorham stepping up into admin roles is a really good thing for Encinal,” said Senior Class President Ian Muchiri. “They are both teachers who have been with Encinal for a while now and in their time here they’ve noticed what has worked and [hasn’t] worked. So I have no doubt that Encinal is in great hands.”
Two popular former Encinal teachers will return to campus to backfill positions. Paul Igaz will take over the Radio courses and Gene Kahane will teach ELD.
Comments