June 20, 2007
Parents upset that principal was transferred
Loved Loma Vista principal moving to Estock; new principal coming from Garden Grove
BY JORGE BARRIENTOS
THE TUSTIN NEWS
Some parents at Loma Vista Elementary are asking Tustin Unified to reconsider end-of-the-year administrative changes that sent their principal to Estock Elementary and brought in a new one from Garden Grove.
During the last week of classes, the district announced that Gail Levy was moving from Loma Vista to Estock, taking Paulette Fuller's place, who decided to retire last month. Molly Murphy, an elementary school principal in Garden Grove Unified, was named principal of Loma Vista.
The change, parents said, was made by Tustin Unified officials at last minute, was made without consulting parents, and is not the best for Loma Vista.
Honour Del Crognale, PTO President at Loma Vista, said parents were in "an uproar" when they heard the news that they would be getting a new principal. They school fell in love with Levy, who has helped make significant positive changes at the school, she said.
Plus, the parents do not want yet another change in principals, she said. This will be the third in the last 10 years, according to the district. The last two principals were moved to open new schools.
Superintendent Richard Bray said the decision was completed at the end of the year and therefore he wanted to announce it before school ended for summer. The moves are best for district, matching the right principals for the right schools, he said.
Parents are afraid of change, he said, adding that the district will not reverse its decision.
"It's fear of the unknown," Bray said. "I'm absolutely confident that once they get to know Molly Murphy, they're going to be much less concerned. The school isn't going to miss a beat."
Parents said they were planning to bring their concerns to the school board at the June 25 board meeting in hopes that Loma Vista can keep Levy, and have Murphy go to Estock.
The district sent letters to parents inviting them to meet the new principal and have questions answered, Bray said. Parents sent a letter opposing the change to the district and its school board.
Murphy has been in public education for 14 years. She began as an elementary teacher in Irvine and Garden Grove school districts. She is principal at Heritage Elementary in Garden Grove. Murphy has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Notre Dame, and a master's from Cal State Fullerton. She plans to complete her doctorate in May through USC.
Lynn Bradley, past PTO president, said parents were "blindsided" by the move. But now that the changes have been made, she said parents are more welcoming toward the new principal. The school will do "great under her leadership," she said.
"I'm absolutely excited about Loma Vista," Murphy said. "I'm just really eager to get in and get to know everyone."
•Jonathan Blackmore, assistant principal at Tustin High School, has been appointed principal of Tustin High School. Margie Sepulveda will be coming to the district office as assistant superintendent of personnel services.
•Ryan Bollenbach, assistant principal at Utt Middle School, has been named principal of Ladera Elementary School. Luciana Laszewski is taking a leave of absence.
•Liz Freidrich, former elementary principal and current middle school teacher, has been appointed principal of Tustin Ranch Elementary School. Michael Shackelford will become principal on special assignment at the district office.
•Will Neddersen, assistant principal at Hewes Middle School, has been appointed principal of Veeh Elementary School. Tyler Ream is leaving the district.
•JoAnne Motter, assistant principal at Columbus Tustin Middle School, has been named assistant principal at Tustin High School.