Public education in Coronado will undergo significant leadership changes in 2024-25, with new administrators assigned to the high school, middle school and one elementary school.
In a July 9 news release, Coronado Unified School District said the goal is to reorganize resources in the face of a $2.3 million deficit, and in the aftermath of staffing cuts.
“We are fortunate and grateful that we have skilled and experienced educators within the district and were able to fill the positions with our current staff,” CUSD Superintendent Karl Mueller said in a statement. “With our budget challenges, it is important to note that these changes reflect previously reported staffing reductions and are cost neutral to the district.”
The staff reductions included two program specialists, one reading specialist, one mental health clinician, one clinical counselor, one school counselor, one spanish teacher and one maintenance worker.
According to the release, the district is adjusting staffing to serve the district’s demographic and financial needs. Prior responsibilities will carry over for some district employees.
But some of the staff changes were met with disapproval from community members, specifically parents of kids attending Village Elementary School.
Parents expressed they are upset that Tanya White is leaving the school campus, and have circulated a petition asking to keep White as Assistant Principal.
Village and Silver Strand Elementary
The district named Julia Braga as the new assistant principal at Village Elementary School.
Braga, a Coronado native and graduate, has served as the district’s English language arts and English learner development teacher on special assignment since 2016, according to the release.
Before Braga, White was the Village assistant principal for eight years. In the fall, she will begin an administrative role on special assignment in the district office for district-wide support with student discipline and special education.
She’ll also give administrative support to Coronado Middle School and Silver Strand, where program specialist positions have been cut, according to the district news release.
Also joining Braga and Principal Peter Kuhns on the Village Elementary administrative team is Alison Keehan, who has 11 years in the district as a secondary education specialist, assistant principal, and most recently as a program specialist.
Parents react to district’s decision
The removal of White as assistant principal at Village Elementary School prompted backlash from some parents who said their children are upset by the departure.
An online petition launched by parent Shawnee Barton Merriman has collected 149 signatures as of July 19.
“In a district that prides itself on transparency, actions like this are causing parental confusion regarding one of our most treasured and valued leaders,” the petition reads. “It is important that families have an opportunity to stand up and speak up for a leader who stands up for our children every day.”
White could not be reached for comment.
According to Simon, administrative decisions are made by district leadership. Simon did not respond to inquiry about whether the district considered parent input throughout the process.
Merriman said she outlined her concerns about a lack of community input and transparency in an email to school board members and administrators, and other parents followed her lead.
“We are VERY upset. A bit of time has not settled us,” said Merriman in an email to The Coronado News. “The way the hire was made is wrong…It also makes me mad that the district is not talking to the dozens of parents who have written.”
Coronado Middle School
Nestor Espinoza, who according to the district, announced that he accepted a position as an elementary school administrator outside Coronado, is leaving his yearlong role as assistant principal at Coronado Middle School.
Brooke Barto, whose previous job was eliminated due to budget cuts, will be taking over for Espinoza.
Barto was named the new assistant principal and the release said she will continue some former program specialist responsibilities in addition to her administrative duties.
Coronado High
Administrative changes at Coronado High School include the resignation of Assistant Principal Rikki Betancourt—who rode in the backseat of Blue Angel #7 last year.
That vacancy has not yet been filled.
Meanwhile, CUSD Special Education Coordinator Ryan Keller will move to the high school campus to support the special education team and students. Keller will continue to provide district-wide special education support and rotate as a district representative in Individualized Education Program meetings.
Beyond changes to leadership across the schools, two four-year term seats on the Board of Trustees will be up for election on November 5.
Those seats are currently held by Whitney Antrim and Renee Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh announced she is seeking re-election on July 16.
