Posted by Ned, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Great. Two principals with experience in China who perhaps know a little Chinese. How does this help the nearly 50% Hispanic population in this district? They'll stick around for a few years and be off to Palo Alto or Los Altos with the pedigrees they've got.

Posted by Tim, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 3:07 pm

Ned: China has the world's fastest growing economy for a major country.

As of 2012, China has the world's second-largest GDP, Mexico ranks 13th.

In 2009, Chinese students from Shanghai achieved the world's best results in mathematics, science and literacy, as tested by P.I.S.A. Mexico students ranked substandard.

China has produced 9 Nobel Prize winners, Mexico 3.

Over one billion people speak Mandarin Chinese, only 300 million speak Spanish.

That is how this decision will help our students. Follow a leader, not a loser.

Posted by Martin Omander, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 4:23 pm

Sounds like two appointees with solid credentials and experience. Best of luck to students, staff, and the new principals!

Ned, are you seriously suggesting we should disqualify any candidate who has taught in China for a summer?

Posted by Ned - Really?, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 4:50 pm

"Lower Manhattan Community Middle School" is a school with 46% Hispanic population in a state with an avg of 21%.

"William E. Russell Elementary School" is a school with 55% Hispanic population in a state with an avg of 14%.

Guess you are wrong in all counts. [Portion removed. Please don't attack other posters.]

Posted by Parent, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 5:47 pm

And a long time teacher in the district just passed away and not a word... from the paper... and two measly sentences from the district.

Posted by Ms. Doyle, a resident of the The Crossings neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 7:05 pm

Let's see what the Pact has planned for this principal. Pact's always about getting what they want right parents.

Posted by Ned, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 7:13 pm

Tim, you've twisted what I said, assumed a lot, and taken it out of context. BTW, when do you leave for China?

Martin, read what I wrote before asking such a question.

Posted by PACT Mom, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 7:34 pm

Ah, Ms. Doyle, there's our resident PACT hater. How is this getting what we want? The previous principal was well loved and we are sad to see her go. I can't even say it's interesting to read your comments because well, they aren't.

Good luck to Mr. Graff, impressive credentials!

Posted by Pat C., a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Mar 16, 2012 at 8:03 pm

okay I'm curious why did the previous principal leave? In the existence of the program how my principle have there been?

Posted by PACT Mom, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Mar 17, 2012 at 1:13 am

She's transferring to Monta Loma, where she previously taugh for something like 15 years. She'll be the principal there.

Posted by MVWSD employee, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Mar 17, 2012 at 7:24 pm

I am disappointed the district did not hire from within. Many teachers go through a Leadership program with the intent of becoming a principal. It certainly has worked well at Graham where the principal turnover over the past few years was detrimental to the school's success. Maybe no one in the distict was interested.

Posted by Interested Observer , a resident of another community, on Mar 18, 2012 at 1:23 am

Hmmm, MWVSD employee - Cathy Baur, current principal at Monta Loma, graduated from the District's Leadership program as did Kim Thompson, current principal at Graham Middle School. Angela Lyon may have attended that program, too, but I am not positive about that. Cathy Baur has now been promoted to the Asst Supt position. That's a lot of positions having been filled from within the district. I am glad to see that the District has now gone outside the district because, I would assume, the district wants the best fit for each school.

Posted by Interested Observer II, a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Mar 18, 2012 at 6:55 am

District appointments are based on favoritism and little more. Things may change when the Asst. Supes Totter and Lairon retire (with trumped up pensions most likely), but I doubt it. I do think internal hires do much better and show more commitment. The record has shown that they stick around much longer. Princeton and Harvard graduates won't be happy here for long, but at least they won't have to work under the former Asst. Supes.

Posted by Student Teacher-Mom, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Mar 19, 2012 at 6:20 am

And no word on why Karen Robinson- the long time principal and former teacher at Crittenden is leaving?

Posted by Elle, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Mar 19, 2012 at 7:00 am

Karen Robinson has been anointed to become Assistant Superintendent to replace her old Whisman friend Totter. Just like Goldman was anointed by Ghysels. Bauer replaces her buddy Lairon. It's all about control at the top among a tight circle. Yet the new hires have the more prestigious credentials. That's how it works in Mountain View.

Posted by Landels Mom, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on Apr 1, 2012 at 6:00 pm

Too bad we can't get a Ivy League grad to take over at Landels.

BTW, how did Carmen Mizell get appointed to be the principal of Landels? Oh that's right, she was the ex-Superintendent's mistress.

Another reason to not argue for internal appointees.

Posted by Irked, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Mar 21, 2013 at 11:47 am

Why are local principles being replaced by East Coasters? Two from New York, and one from Massachusetts, all in the space of a year?

Seriously, Craig Goldman can't find local candidates? I know for a fact that a local, qualified, enthusiastic and capable candidate from Huff was passed over for the current choice, from New York. I thought this was odd when I only knew about the Huff choice, but now I see there's a pattern.

Why can't we keep it local? What's going on here?