New principal at Los Altos High New principal at Los Altos High (December 19, 2003)

George Perez is being replaced at end of school year

By Julie O'Shea

Wynne Satterwhite, an assistant principal at Los Altos High School since 1993, will take over as principal July 1. She replaces George Perez, who announced in October that he will retire at the end of the school year due to "a serious medical condition."

Superintendent Rich Fischer was so confident that Satterwhite, 42, was the right one for the job that the district never advertised for the position. And Satterwhite, on the recommendation of many teachers, parents and students, was the only one interviewed for the $115,000-a-year spot.

"I'm happy. It's such a win-Wynne situation ... spelled w-i-n, W-y-n-n-e," said Fischer, referencing Satterwhite's first name.

Fischer said he'd wanted Satterwhite, a mother of two, to take the position four years ago when it opened up, but she'd told Fischer then she wasn't ready for the promotion and the district hired Perez instead. Fischer said it didn't take much coaxing this time around to convince Satterwhite to take the job.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Satterwhite said. "I feel like I am stepping into a dream world. I know what I'm getting into.

"I think it will be a lot of fun," Satterwhite added.

The district held several focus groups with teachers, parents and students to discuss important qualities they want to see in a new principal. Satterwhite's name had been mentioned several times as a top candidate for the position, Fischer said, "and not even by me."

Satterwhite came to Los Altos High in 1984 from a small town in Oregon, her hometown state. She and her husband were only supposed to stay a year when the school had hired her on as a substitute biology teacher. A few months later, she was hired into the science department full-time and plans of relocating back to Oregon quickly evaporated. Satterwhite moved on to work in the school's Regional Occupation Program (ROP) and, in 1989, became a counselor. She was tapped for an assistant principal position in 1993.

District officials say Perez will stay on as principal until the end of the school year unless health issues force him to change his plans. Perez has not disclosed his ailment, but in a letter to parents in September wrote: "In January of this year, I was diagnosed with a serious medical condition.

"I no longer have the energy nor am I willing to exert the energy it takes to run a large comprehensive school." Fischer said the district would have a math teaching position available to Perez next year if he wants to continue working in the district

E-mail Julie O'Shea at joshea@mv-voice.com

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