What is it with these schools and their principals?
It seems to be ongoing problems in schools.
And look what is going on now with the one at Walnut Grove?
Another mess for that school.

Erik - I haven't heard anything about the principal at WG. ?????

Wow...you will!!

Jill Butler was named principal of PMS, so she is still with PUSD. The former principal of PMS is now human resources director for PUSD. Just stating the facts, not advocating for PUSD or anything...

I would love to know how many positions within the office of our small school district pay higher salaries than those paid to our school principals? As a parent I would like to see principals staying a decent length of time at our schools to promote strong and consistent leadership. Its unfair to students, parents and teachers when there are so many changes. Does PUSD need to evaluate how it rewards these roles to ensure we can attract and retain good principals for years to come and not just until the next district office vacancy arises?

High administrator turnover is not new. Nor is it unique to Pleasanton. It is not clear why admin leave their position so "soon": getting promoted or quitting the profession altogether. (See article below.)

The most recent revolving door is the result of two middle school principals - Rocha and Parsons - who were promoted within the district. This makes it look as though there is more drama than there really is. It is true, however, that we now need to cross our fingers that the new principals (Butler at PMS and TBD at Harvest Park) stay for a long, long time.

Web Link

Just as "No drama" stated above, turnover is expected. PUSD had a number of retirements in the last few years, which contributed to this turnover. Mark McCoy leaving his HR director position in mid-year, which is unusual but not unprecedented, started this new ball rolling.

We have our FHS principal after short stints at two other schools out of district, so his short stay at those districts benefitted us.

Web Link

It happens everywhere, this turnover is really not that unusual. Please also keep in mind these principals are highly motivated, highly driven people. Soon after they started teaching, they wanted to do more than teach, so they went and got their administrative credentials and became VP's and then principals. After a time of being a site administrator, they continue to be driven, and seek to do more, and often end up at the district office or move to other districts.

Also keep in mind that being a principal is a very stressful job, and many principals need to move on to something else to prevent that stress from taking it's toll.

Wake up and smell the coffee people! You have an interim principal at Harvest Park or in this case two rotating because Superintendent Hansen is holding the job for his protege Rocha in case the money runs out for his new job. Must be nice! Doing what's right for kids?? Parents why are we putting up with this??

Lots of drama, maybe we need to clean-up admin from the top down and get rid of everybody riding this "gravy train", plenty of qualified people out there who would appreciate those high paying jobs and could handle that "stress"!! Give it a break, if we all quit our jobs every time things got a little tough there would be a lot more unemployed people out there!

Welcome back to PMS, Jill Butler! While we are sad to see Aileen move on, we are thrilled with your appointment!!!

What is the news about the WG principal? I thought things were better there now. I know they have brought in Mr. Puppione for a few days a week, and have a Vice Principal for a few days a week.

All eyes on the principal at WG, and I mean ALL.

Do tell for those of us not in the know!

If there is another problem with a principal at WG, maybe it's the staff we need to look at.

Can someone share what is happening at WG? Am I the only one who doesn't know? One of my kids is still there and I'd like to know what's going on.

Ptownmom, you have a child at WG and you are relying on anonymous internet gossip to find out what's going on?? Absolutely disgusting. Are you encouraging your children to engage in anonymous online gossip and bullying about other people? Are you looking forward to the day that you or your child are discussed on the Internet by name? Think about what you post. Karma bites.

Disgusting, That's a bit harsh, don't you think. Is Ptownmom supposed to barge into the office and ask? Do you think s/he would get a straight answer? Regardless, s/he sees something here, and like others prior to her post, merely asks what's up. I think the person who knows, or purports to know, is doing everyone a disservice at this point.

Actually "Disgusting" your comment comes very close to on line bullying, the very thing you are admonishing PtownMom about. Why so defensive and harsh? I will point out while you complain about anonymous comments, you, yourself are in fact anonymous.

Let's face it, it's hard to get information about what is going on at the schools especially WG. Administration seems to forget it's our kids attending the school and we have a right to know what kind of atmosphere were are sending our kids into. If I have to read anonymous internet comments to find out what's going on at my kid's school, I'll do it. If we had leadership that was upfront and honest then maybe it wouldn't be necessary. Til then, I'll keep my eyes on these boards.

The problems that led to the removal of Vranesh still plague WG. The former interim principal(now interim at another PUSD site) made it worse by siding with one group and ostracizing anyone opposed to that group. WG principal is probably the hardest job at PUSD but the current principal hasn't been able to fix the core issues and it remains very divided. Just ask their former custodian what it's like to work there.