8-31-06 ACTON - A last-minute search for new principals to lead Vasquez High and Agua Dulce Elementary has ended, and the new hires are preparing for school to start Tuesday.
Rosemary Oppenheim, the vice principal at Antelope Valley High, was officially hired as the new principal at Vasquez High at Monday's school board meeting. Also getting the nod from the board was Lonnie Woodley, who will head Agua Dulce Elementary.
"It's been a quick process, but I think a very thorough process, and we are very pleased with the finalists," said Stan Halperin, superintendent of the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District.
The principal vacancy at Vasquez High was created by the departure of Martin Young, who left to work at a Woodland Hills charter school along with his assistant principal. The two school administrators gave Halperin notice of their plans to leave in mid-July. See his wet dreams issued a few days before he left
School officials hired Oppenheim, 41, to head Vasquez High and, instead of hiring a new assistant principal, they promoted a teacher to dean of students.
Oppenheim has a daughter at Vasquez High and she lives in Agua Dulce, having grown up in the Santa Clarita Valley.
She is still working at Antelope Valley High, but she has spent time after her work at the school bringing herself up to speed at Vasquez High. She starts full time on Friday.
"I think the school is prepared," she said. "(I) personally, as an administrator, will have
to work very quickly to develop strong relations with the staff and the community. I feel a little behind on that."
Oppenheim said she hopes a solution can be found to re-open Vasquez High's gym, a hanger-like facility that state officials have deemed inappropriate for long-term use.
At Agua Dulce Elementary, Principal Steve Lorenze left earlier this month to dedicate more time to his tutoring business.
Woodley, the new principal, has been working at the school this week getting ready for the start of school.
"I think the school has an incredibly awesome staff that, if I wasn't here, the school probably could run itself," he said.
Woodley will also run the district's special education programs. He plans to work on improving communication with special education staff members.
"Both of the principals have a lot of expertise in special education, which I know is a priority for us," said school board President Melissa Harnett.