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Pleasanton Unified School District will start the 2021-22 school year with new leadership in its ranks, after the Board of Trustees unanimously appointed two new principals during its regular meeting earlier this month.
PUSD cabinet members welcomed Gerardo Guzman-Rico to lead Valley View Elementary School and Russell Campisi as new principal of Harvest Park Middle School. Each appeared via Zoom during the board’s June 10 meeting.
Guzman-Rico most recently served as vice principal at Valley View and will replace former principal Soraya Villaseñor, who held the position from 2017 until being promoted last month to district coordinator of equity and access.
Guzman-Rico thanked the board that evening for the “wonderful, wonderful opportunity.”
“I’m excited to begin this new adventure in my life at Valley View and look forward to forging relationships with all stakeholders,” Guzman-Rico said.
A newcomer to PUSD with a 13-year education career, Campisi comes to Harvest Park from Oakland Technical High School where he’s been assistant principal since 2018, according to his LinkedIn profile. Campisi will replace former principal Terry Brenner who announced her resignation in March, after serving three years in the role.
“I look forward to collaborating with all of you in this amazing community, and I will work to ensure that our students are safe and joyful when they come to school,” Campisi said.
Just after finalizing their appointments, Board President Joan Laursen told the new principals, “As we embark on a new school year with some new folks, new energy and new hope for the future, it’s really nice to have you join our team.”
The board also promoted two other district members that evening during the meeting’s consent agenda portion including Karen Johnson, principal at Alisal Elementary for nearly seven years.
Johnson, who originally came from San Ramon Valley Unified School District in 2012, will become the district’s new language acquisition coordinator effective July 1, according to public documents. In addition to previously teaching elementary and middle school, Johnson has also been an elementary school literacy coordinator, intervention specialist, and held various administrative roles.
The appointment of Amador Valley High School’s new vice principal was also approved. Michael Jaramillo previously served as the site’s coordinator of high school operations, where he oversaw all athletics, school-wide testing, and coordinating campus events and scheduling.
District officials said in a statement that they “are excited to celebrate the promotion of these valuable administrators.”
“They will bring extraordinary leadership and value in their new roles moving forward to serve our schools and community,” officials said.
I encourage all Pleasanton citizens to pay attention to what is happening in PUSD right now. Although there is always shifting in positions over the summer, the district is moving well-liked and successful principals (from Mohr and Hearst) for no apparent reason. The timing seems odd given the tumultuous past two school years.
Our teachers are also working without a contract and haven’t had a raise. They asked for 5% and were offered .27%. Yet on this week’s PUSD Board of Trustees agenda, there is an item granting a handful of admins a raise and longevity bonuses.
Teacher morale is very low and trust between teachers and the district is virtually nonexistent. Our teachers are the heart and soul of our schools and the reason so many of our kids are successful. It’s concerning that the district administration isn’t taking care of them and is instead taking care of their own.
I have a question about this part of the article:
‘The appointment of Amador Valley High School’s new vice principal was also approved. Michael Jaramillo previously served as the site’s coordinator of high school operations, where he oversaw all athletics, school-wide testing, and coordinating campus events and scheduling.’
Is this a new position being filled or is he replacing one? And VPs there are assigned grades that they are contacts for. So what grade is he going to serve.
And adding to the above comment a bit, I would like to know why the movement? I knew the Principal at Harvest Park and was not a fan and know there were issues with her, so this is a positive change. And I see 2 principals are being moved to other positions. What are they? And then what is going on to have them replaced?
I know from my child, that revolving principals is disruptive. I would be careful with any amount of change that the students would see. The last year has already been enough for the…