How is it that the educational specialists at MVHS, who are in charge of helping kids get into Ivy League colleges, have themselves, degrees from 2nd tier colleges?

Wow Danny, what a snarky, mean spirited comment.

The new principal for Monte Vista High School is coming from a middle school of 621 students, from 5th to 8th grade. I am very concerned that his background is not competitive nor appropriate for a school the size of MVHS. He has not worked at a high school for several years, and Sir Francis Drake currently has 983 students, which is possibly a larger number of students than when he was an assistant principal there. The web page for Hall Middle School is full of typing errors (not likely made by him, but not a good impression). Eric Saibel must have been a very strong contender for the district to have chosen him to lead Monte Vista. It will be interesting to watch the school's progress over the coming school year.

If a person went to an Ivy League college, why would they want to come to this district for low pay and deal with Danville parents? Seems like better options are available. And get over yourselves, just because you go to MV, doesn't mean you are Ivy League bound. You may be smart, but you have your parents money and access to better drugs than the average kid.

For anyone who knows anything about college applications and acceptance data at MV, Ivy League schools are NOT the most applied to, and usually only the TOP students even apply knowing that it might be a long shot. Shout out to Brian Yu for his Harvard acceptance and National Speech and Debate award! Most students apply to UC/CSU as they know that the Ivy schools are out of their range. Although, I do agree with some points made by Citizen of the Valley as Monte Vista is a whole other beast from all of the other SRVUSD high schools! So glad we only have two years left!!!!

Wow. With the comments and attitudes currently posted by Danny, Citizen and Douglas, I'd have to agree with Hal - who would want to work at Monte Vista, or any school in the District? What a bunch of narrow minded folks. The district and high school, while smaller in population, is high performing like ours and has a similar makeup of population. Yes, he has only been an assistant principal, but who is to say that he's not ready to lead? Maybe it's time that this community start thinking out of the box and taking a chance on folks who want to step up and be leaders.

Becky Smith - terrible
Janet Terranova - awful
Eric Saibel - hope third time is a charm

Congratulations to all the new administrators. Wishing them the best of luck!

So sad how people forget it is their child's hard work that gets them into ivy league schools,not the administrators.Two of the professionals went to UC Berkeley, the #1 public school in the nation. And all of the professionals carry MULTIPLE DEGREES, not many people can say that. They are exceptional. And I wish them nothing but the best of luck in dealing with these parents.

I have been told that the pool for principal candidates for MVHS was weak. One would think that a school such as this would attract experienced principals from other districts, but such is not the case. I suspect that among educators the word is out about hovering parents, weak teachers with union protection, and a history of poor leadership, which explains the lack of experienced principals wanting this job.

Along with the low pay.

[Portion removed due to promoting a website]

Congratulations on your new position, Eric Saibel. Wishing you the best and hoping that EVERYONE will give you the support you will need.

Cheers,
Barbara

Is it true he is no longer coming to MVHS? His name no longer appears in the congratulatory notes on the SRVUSD website. Fact or rumor?

Yes Dave, he bowed out for "personal reasons" according to Shelton.

So he is smart guy after all! The reality is that quite a few administrators have already left, or privately seem quite unhappy to be in the district, from what I hear. Not sure way, but interesting.

It is true that since Mary arrived, many top administrators have left or retired. I heard as much as 2/3 at the district office. Trust me, there is a reason for this.

Usually when this happens it is because administrators don't feel supported. I have heard that both the board and the superintendent are close with the teachers' union which could explain the turnover which has occurred.

The superintendent and the board are not close at all with the teachers' union. The exact opposite is the case with the superintendent in fact.