The new principal of Calaveras Elementary School has big plans
for the school’s nearly 500 students this year, including improving
test scores and highlighting her students’ accomplishments in the
community.
Hollister – The new principal of Calaveras Elementary School has big plans for the school’s nearly 500 students this year, including improving test scores and highlighting her students’ accomplishments in the community.
Neophyte Principal Christine White replaced former principal Tony Panganiban, who left Calaveras for a principal position in Monterey after eight years at Calaveras’ helm.
White, who taught at several Hollister elementary schools during the past 17 years, started just a few days before school began this week but said the move from teacher to administrator was seamless.
“It’s been a very smooth transition,” White said. “The teachers and staff have been very organized and have helped prepare me.”
The transition was further aided by White’s familiarity with many of the school’s teachers and staff members, some of whom she worked with during her time with the Hollister School District.
However, the switch from teacher to principal does have some drawbacks, she said.
Although she will miss out on some opportunities to make a difference in the lives of individual students, to make up for that she plans to become well-acquainted with the students and parents. White hopes to spend much of her time in the classroom interacting with teachers and students instead of sitting behind her desk.
“I want to be a part of the team and get to know the community at Calaveras,” she said.
Her new job has also given her an opportunity to take on more responsibilities.
“It was never my goal to be an administrator,” White said. “I always wanted to be a teacher. But, it was really exciting to get a job that addressed all the things I wanted to do.”
With less than a week on the job, White already has clearly defined goals for the school. She hopes to raise the community’s awareness about students and school programs, improve standardized test scores and keep the classroom environment safe and conducive to learning, she said.
“I want to reach out and let the community know what a wonderful school Calaveras is,” White said.
But improving test scores isn’t just one of White’s goals, it’s required. Calaveras is a “Program Improvement” school, meaning it failed to meet national standards outlined in the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act and is mandated to improve its scores.
“We are a Program Improvement school, but we have a safe school environment and we’ve been 100 percent in compliance (with state regulations),” she said. “Our test scores have risen and we’re proud of that, but we need to continue that trend.”
Her plans to improve test scores will not be hindered by Hollister School District’s financial woes, White said.
The district has been using reserves to cover deficits for the last two years, and projected expenses are expected to outpace revenues by $1.1 million next year.
“We’ve felt (the financial crunch) district-wide, but our goal is to not let our financial trouble make our scores go down,” White said. “We need to concentrate on ways to improve our scores without relying on the district for more money.”
