July 2003 News Archive
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Paul Turnbull Becomes Districts’ Newest Principal
The principal position at Goleta Valley Junior High School was opened on July 15, 2003 when Dr. Kristine Robertson was appointed to become the principal at Santa Barbara High School. On July 22, 2003, the position was filled when Goleta Valley’s Assistant Principal Paul Turnbull was appointed to the school’s principal position.
Prior to becoming a Goleta Valley Junior High in July 2001, Mr. Turnbull was a teacher and administrator in the Abbotsford Senior Secondary School in Abbotsford, British Columbia. At Abbotsford, he taught International Baccalaureate English, English, physical education, outdoor education, and coached varsity girls’ basketball and varsity football. He also taught in grades 3-12 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
"As Goleta Valley’s assistant principal, Paul brings highly-developed leadership skills to the position of principal. During the past two years, he has worked closely with Principal Robertson on all facets of school operations. He has extensive knowledge about the curriculum and is a warm, engaging leader with high expectations for all students," stated Superintendent Deborah Flores. Dr. Robertson noted, "Paul has been the best assistant principal I have ever had the pleasure to work with in all my years as an administrator. I couldn’t have asked for better support and a more eager person to mentor as a potential leader. He will be fantastic principal at Goleta Valley Junior High."
Mr. Turnbull has a master’s degree in education from the University of Victoria, British Columbia. As an undergraduate, he earned three bachelor’s degrees in the following disciplines: education, University of Manitoba; English literature, Queens’ University in Kingston, Ontario; physical and health education, Queens’ University in Kingston, Ontario.
Goleta Valley Junior High School is located at 6100 Stow Canyon Road. The school was established in 1964. The school is comprised of more than 950 seventh and eighth grade students and 81 staff members. The student body largely originates from six Goleta Union School District elementary schools: Brandon, Ellwood, El Rancho, Isla Vista, Kellogg, La Patera, and Mountain View.
Principal Turnbull’s 2003-04 contract amount will be $92,455.
Personnel Changes in the Santa Barbara School Districts
With the advent of school year 2003-2004, the Board of Education approved additional personnel changes in the Santa Barbara Elementary and High School Districts. Today, the board approved the superintendent’s recommendation to adjust the job responsibilities and job title of Dr. Brian Sarvis, former director of research and technology. Dr. Sarvis is the new assistant superintendent of elementary education/research and technology. In addition to his continued oversight of the districts’ research and technology operations, he will assume the responsibilities of former Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Diana Rigby. He will now oversee the operations of the 13-school elementary district. The board also approved the superintendent’s recommendation to hire Dr. Walter Olsen, Jr. as the interim special education director.
Dr. Brian Sarvis
Dr. Brian Sarvis has been with the Santa Barbara School Districts since July 16, 2001. Previously, he was the assistant
superintendent of research and technology for Modesto City Schools (1997-2001). He served as that district’s
director of curriculum and assessment (1988-1997) and as an educational analyst (1986-1988). Dr. Sarvis was a principal
(1984-1986), director of pupil personnel services (1979-1984), and a school psychologist (1975-1979) in Linden, CA.
He served as a California State University-Stanislaus adjunct psychology instructor (1976-1983) in human development,
learning disabilities, behavior analysis and modification, abnormal behavior, personality, sex differences, genetics,
career and life planning, effective parenting, interpersonal relations, counseling theories and techniques, and psychological
testing.
Dr. Sarvis conducted postdoctoral studies in educational technology at Stanford University (2000, 2001). He earned an Ed.D. in Educational Administration at Brigham Young University (1989). He completed specialized studies in Spanish, Hispanic culture, and bilingual assessment at the University of the Pacific, National Hispanic University, and University of Guadalajara, Mexico (summers-1980, 1982, 1983). He received a master’s degree in psychology from California State University-Stanislaus (1975) and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Western Washington University (1972).
Dr. Sarvis will earn $111,803 annually.
Dr. Walter Olsen, Jr.
Dr. Walter Olsen has accepted a Board of Education-approved short-term appointment as the districts’ interim
director of special education. He will be temporarily filling the position held by former Director of Special Education
Deborah Toups. Dr. Olsen will begin work on June 28, 2003, and is expected to complete his assignment at the end of
August 2003. He will be paid at the rate of $500 per day.
A resident of the Carmichael, CA, Dr. Olsen has been commuting to this area since 2001, as he has been working on a part-time basis as the director emeritus special education/pupil services for the Carpinteria Unified School District. Beginning 1966, Dr. Olsen has gained extensive professional experience – and garnered numerous awards – in education, including: special education consultant with the California Department of Education (1996-2001); principal with the Sacramento Unified School District (1994-1996); director of state and federal programs with the Woodland Joint Unified School District (1989-1994); principal in the Folsom-Cordova Unified School District (1984-1989); and assistant director of special education El Dorado County Office of Education.
Dr. Olsen received his doctorate in education at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. He has a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology/English from California State University-Sacramento.
Personnel Changes in the Santa Barbara School Districts
Four administrative positions have been filled in the Santa Barbara School Districts: Dr. Kristine Robertson was appointed principal of Santa Barbara High School; Ron Fortson will soon begin work as the districts’ interim chief business officer; David Hodges and Eugenia Walters have accepted assistant principal positions in the Santa Barbara High School District.
Dr. Kristine Robertson
This morning, Dr. Robertson, principal of Goleta Valley Junior High School, was appointed principal of Santa Barbara
High School. She will replace Principal J.R. Richards, who recently announced his retirement. Santa Barbara High
is the oldest school in continuous operation in the Santa Barbara Elementary and High School Districts. The 2002-2003
academic year marked the school’s 128th anniversary, 78 of these years have been at the 700 East Anapamu site.
The school serves more than 2,100 students and employs approximately 165 staff members.
"Kris Robertson has done an excellent job during her four years in the high school district," stated Superintendent Deborah Flores. "I have worked closely with her and I would rate her in the top 5% of administrators that I have known in almost 30 years in public education. She is bright, dedicated, hardworking, organized, caring, and articulate. She has demonstrated that she is a team builder who has forged positive working relationships with staff, students, and parents. Most important, she is a tireless advocate for students." Dr. Flores continued, "J.R. Richards is entering retirement with the good wishes and appreciation of his colleagues throughout the districts. We wish him well and know that retirement will provide him with many more opportunities to enjoy his family. As a Santa Barbara High School Don, we know his heart will always be with the school, staff, and students of his alma mater."
Prior to becoming principal of Goleta Valley Junior High School on July 1, 2001, Dr. Robertson served as La Cuesta Continuation High School’s principal (August 1999 to July 2001). Her previous administrative experience includes: principal, Juvenile Court Schools, Ventura County Superintendent of School’s Office (1996-1999); principal, Perris High School, Perris Union High School District (1994-1996); assistant principal, San Marcos High School, San Marcos Unified School District (1990-1994); assistant principal, Paso Robles High School, Paso Robles Public Schools (1987-1990). Prior to her role as an administrator, she served as a counselor at the following California schools: Cuesta Community College, San Luis Obispo (1988-1990); Grossmont Community College, La Mesa (1986-1987); Mt. Carmel High School, Poway (1985-1987); Palomar Community College, San Marcos (1981-1987); Meadowbrook Middle School, Poway (1981-1985).
Dr. Robertson completed her doctorate in educational administration at United States International University in San Diego (1983). She received a master’s degree in counseling from San Diego State University (1980).
As the principal of Santa Barbara High School, Dr. Robertson will earn $107,366 per year. She will begin her duties in early August.
Decisions regarding the leadership of Goleta Valley Junior High School will be made in the days ahead.
Ron Fortson
Interim Chief Business Officer Ron Fortson with begin his short-term employment on July 28, 2003, and work through
September 11, 2003. He replaces Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Priscilla Diamond. The search for a
permanent assistant superintendent is underway.
Mr. Fortson brings almost three decades of experience to the districts. He has served as the chief business officer in several California school districts (Temecula, Claremont, and Moreland) as well as school districts in Arizona. Most recently, since his recent retirement, he has served as the interim chief business officer of the Fremont School District (30,000 ADA) and San Francisco Unified School District (55,000 ADA).
His contract is based on the number of days worked, and will not exceed $19,200.
David Hodges
David Hodges, a Santa Barbara resident, has joined the staff of Santa
Barbara High School as assistant principal. He replaces Peter VanDuinwyk. His contract amount is $82,437.
Since 2001, Mr. Hodges has been the assistant principal of instruction and curriculum at Buena High School. His responsibilities included administration of the core academic program; development of the master schedule; coordination of all state-mandated assessments; leadership team member for the WASC Focus on Learning Process; chair of the Site Council, English Learner Advisory Committee, Students Support Team, and AVID Committee. From 1987-2001, he taught drama, humanities, English, and video production at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. In 2000-2001, he served as the faculty president and negotiating team member, where he initiated, organized, and participated in the development of the first faculty/district contract in the Santa Ynez District.
Mr. Hodges received a bachelor’s degree in English at UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in education at UC Santa Barbara.
Eugenia Walters
Assistant Principal Eugenia Walters is the newest staff member at La
Cumbre Junior High School. She replaces Assistant Principal Elyssa Rodriguez-Chavarria. Her contract amount is
$82,201.
Ms. Walters brings extensive experience to the postion. She has served as an assistant principal at the high school level: Oceanside High School, Oceanside Unified School District (1993-1994 and 2001-present); El Camino High School, Oceanside Unified School District (1999-2001); and Woodbridge High School, Irvine Unified School District (1994-2000). Prior to her work as an assistant principal, she has served as an administrative intern, and teacher. During the past decade, Ms. Walters her responsibilities have included oversight of campus supervision, AVID program, senior activities, special education, testing, student teachers, food service, discipline, master schedule, staff supervision, independent study, and data collection.
Assistant Principal Walters received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina and her master’s degree in education from National University in Vista, California.