Since the beginning of summer, San Rafael High School has had significant administrative changes, with nearly the entire team being replaced. This turnover has left students, staff, and parents questioning why this has occurred, how the school will adjust, and, moving forward, the new vision for the school.

Just before the start of the school year, an email was sent to the SRHS community announcing the administrative departures. Mr. Joe Dominguez, San Rafael High School’s principal and now the only remaining member of last year’s administrative team, explained that administration turnover is common in education, “especially for administrators who are often looking for the next step in their careers.” 

Assistant Principal Mr. Oseguera moved on to be the Interim Principal at Venetia Valley K-8 School, while Mr. Shannon, another Assistant Principal, missed teaching too much and decided to return to the classroom at Davidson Middle School. Similarly, Mr. Dominguez shared that Ms. Zampino, the Dean of Students, wanted to return to counseling at a smaller school where she could “build closer relationships with students.”

The timing left Dominguez with the task of rebuilding the team all at once. “It made me a little anxious, but I was also excited because they were chasing opportunities they wanted,” he said.

To fill these positions, SRHS has welcomed three new administrators: Assistant Principal of Student Services Shannon Erby, Interim Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction Kent Morales, and Interim Dean of Students Don Drake.

Ms. Erby, previously an Assistant Principal in San Francisco, was drawn to San Rafael because of its small community and programs for multilingual learners. “I was looking for a smaller district where I could have more support,” she said. “After meeting the team and seeing the commitment of the community, I knew this would be a good fit.”

Ms. Erby admits that adjusting to a new school comes with its challenges. “It’s been a steep learning curve, but in a good way. I’m still learning the traditions and getting to know the students and staff, but I feel supported every step of the way.”

Mr. Morales, a science teacher and instructional coach at SRHS for over 10 years, faces challenges in his new role as Assistant Principal. “At first, I wasn’t really enjoying it because I missed teaching,” Morales admitted. “But now that I’ve settled in, I’m starting to appreciate the opportunity to work with teachers at a higher level and continue improving the school’s curriculum and instruction.”

Faculty received an email at the beginning of the school year stating that Mr. Irizarry, who was set to be the new Dean, was no longer going to be working at SRHS. In response to this sudden change Don Drake, the new Interim Dean of Students, quickly stepped in. Having previously been Assistant Principal, Mr. Drake has returned to provide stability during this transition. “I’ve had history with this school and fond memories of my time here,”  Mr. Drake shared. “My goal now is to support Principal Dominguez and the new Assistant Principals in any way I can.”

Mr. Drake’s role is temporary, and the search for a permanent Dean of Students continues. In the meantime, his experience as a former principal at Archie Williams High School and his experience with the responsibilities of a dean make him a valuable asset to the team.

The administrative turnover has caught the attention of students and teachers. Bobby Seater, a senior at SRHS, was surprised by the administrative turnover. “I did not expect Ms. Zampino to leave,” he said. While admitting he has not met all of the new administrators, Bobby shared that his first impressions were positive and hopeful for the coming years.  

Ms. Levy, a teacher at SRHS, believes the school has remained steady even through the transitions. “We have a lot of really great, experienced teachers, and even with all the changes, I think we have stayed pretty solid as a school,” she said. Ms. Levy also emphasized faculty’s role in helping them adjust. “Hopefully, we were able to guide some of these new administrators just based on what we know about the school and how we think it should be run.”  

Despite the adjustments from the administrative changes, Principal Dominguez is confident in the team’s ability to lead the school. “It’s been an adjustment for everyone, but I’m optimistic. We have a team that brings a balance of experience and fresh perspectives,” he said.

Dominguez emphasizes that while there will be differences between the old and new staff, the core values of the school will remain the same. “We are committed to supporting our students, fostering a positive school culture, and continuing the academic progress we’ve made over the past few years. I believe this new team is well-equipped to help us achieve those goals.”

As San Rafael High School continues the new academic year, the community is eager to watch how the new team will shape the school. While challenges may come, the dedication of the new administration team brings hope that the school will be more unified than before.