It was a night of new beginnings and final farewells at the San
Benito High School District’s board meeting Wednesday, as new
Principal Debbie Padilla officially attended her first meeting and
long-time employee Evelyn Muro retired.
It was a night of new beginnings and final farewells at the San Benito High School District’s board meeting Wednesday, as new Principal Debbie Padilla officially attended her first meeting and long-time employee Evelyn Muro retired.
“It’s kind of like the cycle of life,” Muro said.
Just as Superintendent Jean Burns Slater welcomed Padilla on board, she also thanked Muro for 24 years of hard work and service at SBHS.
“Thank you for supporting all the students, making sure they have every opportunity upon graduation,” she said.
Muro began teaching English and journalism at SBHS in 1980, and later became the director of human resources in 1986. She, along with five teachers and one classified employee chose to take the district’s early retirement incentive. If a staff member is older than 50 and has been employed by the district for more than 30 years, or is older than 55 and has been at the district at least five years, the SBHSD will add two additional years into their retirement package.
The incentive put the icing on the cake, but Muro said she was contemplating retirement last fall.
“It’s my time,” she said. “I’ve been in education for 34 years and I have a lot of new projects on the horizon.”
Since 1986, Muro has been in charge of who is hired and fired at SBHS, and said it’s been exciting knowing the influence her decisions had on the students.
“I’ve always tried to provide the best possible education by getting the best staff,” she said. “It’s always exciting to hire new teachers and see the energy and excitement they bring to the classroom.”
Her choice of employees has also led to walks to the alter.
“It’s funny,” she said. “I can think of people here who have gotten married because I hired both of them.”
While she is on her way out, Muro said she feels very confident in her role of hiring Padilla for the principal position.
“She’ll be a wonderful addition to the staff,” she said. “She really has a comprehensive understanding of secondary schools and she clearly articulates what she sees for the school.”
Being the director of human resources, Muro was always the person filling open positions at the high school, but she won’t be involved in hiring her own. The director of human resources position will be open for potential applicants until July 26. By that time, Muro will be celebrating her retirement right where she started teaching in 1970 – the north shore of Hawaii.
“All my old roommates are going to be there,” she said. “It’s like I’m completing the cycle.”
