August 2, 2007

San Ramon schools get new principals
Appointments for two elementary sites, middle school and continuation high
By Eric Louie, MEDIANEWS STAFF

The San Ramon Valley school district on Tuesday announced the appointment of four new principals.

Michelle Cooper will be principal at Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon, Darlene Hale will be principal at John Baldwin Elementary School in Danville, Hope Burtner will be principal of Rancho Romero Elementary School in Alamo and Lucy Daggett is the new principal of Del Amigo High School, the district's continuation high school.

Cooper comes to Iron Horse after five years as principal of Diablo View Middle School in Clayton. She holds an administrative services credential and a masters in educational administration from Chapman University. She replaces Kirby Hoy, who opened Iron Horse in 1996, and recently was appointed a district director of secondary education.

Hale has 26 years of experience as a kindergarten through 12th-grade classroom teacher, administrator and college professor. She has been an el-ementary school principal since 2002 in the Oak Park and Conejo Valley school districts in Southern California. She has a master's degree in music education from California State University, Fullerton and replaces Claudia Carbonell Bensley, who is working in the district's program for English learners.

Burtner has spent several years as an assistant principal and administrative intern in Oakley and La Mesa in Southern California. She replaces David Gold, who recently accepted a position in another district. Burtner received her administrative services credential and a masters in educational administration from Chapman University. She is working on a doctorate in educational leadership from St. Mary's College in Moraga.

Daggett replaces Carol Adams, who moved to another school district. Daggett has been a guidance counselor for 16 years. She has an administrative credential from California State University East Bay, and a masters in counseling leadership from St. Mary's College.