KHSD appoints principals, lays off 10
BY JORGE BARRIENTOS, Californian staff writer jbarrientos@bakersfield.com
The Kern High School District Wednesday morning appointed four new principals and approved a plan to lay off 10 classified employees next year.
The layoffs, district officials said, were not state budget-cut related, but instead made because of school boundary changes and a decrease in federal money that funded some positions. The layoffs translated to seven full-time equivalent positions and included clerks, instructional assistants, library workers and others.
Classified employee union representatives voiced concerns during the Wednesday school board special meeting saying they were not properly notified of specifics regarding the layoffs. District staff did not have the layoff list finalized and available for viewing until Wednesday morning.
Board President Joel Heinrichs said it's the district's goal "to be as open as you can," and "we don't want to eliminate any positions."
Earlier this month, KHSD decided to give pink slips to 19 teachers next year because of school boundary changes. Most of teachers, if not all, will likely be rehired, officials said.
The governor's budget is asking KHSD to operate with $8.7 million less next year. In the last two years, the district has cut staff and used leftover federal aid to provide a cushion and prevent massive layoffs next year, district officials said.
In other business, the district appointed four new principals, who will start next school year. They are:
* Scott Cole, Arvin High School: Cole is currently the KHSD director of research and planning. He will replace Blanca Cavazos, who will serve as the KHSD task force administrator for instruction.
* Mark Wyatt, Bakersfield Adult School: Wyatt is currently the KHSD director of school support services. He will replace Susan Handy, who is retiring.
* Elizabeth "Libby" Wyatt, Liberty High School: Wyatt is Liberty High's assistant principal for instruction. Wyatt will replace Pat Preston, who is retiring.
* Alan Paradise, North High School: Paradise is currently the KHSD director of pupil personnel services. He will replace Bryon Schaefer, who was recently appointed to be the district assistant superintendent for business. Schaefer will replace Dennis Scott, who is retiring.
Superintendent Don Carter said the appointees were "well poised to lead."
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