San Lorenzo Valley Schools enter a new school year with all recent construction projects completed – a new performing arts center, new library, improvements to its athletic facilities – but the year that begins with “Cougar Day” August 19, followed by the start of classes Aug. 22 will have a few wrinkles.
In Boulder Creek, an long-awaited project to install sidewalks and a safer route to the hillside Boulder Creek Elementary was delayed and didn’t begin until this month. Yellow tape, construction equipment and torn up streets will add to the congestion at pickup and dropoff times until mid September.
Another disruption to school arrivals and departures will be the decision by METRO Santa Cruz to eliminate extra bus routes along Highway 9 in the morning, which for several years had enable students in Ben Lomond, Brookdale and Boulder Creek to have an extra chance to get public transportation to the Felton three-school complex.
The exact impact remains to be seen, but school officials are bracing for more traffic congestion, and some bus-riding students getting to school late, or extra early.
In Scotts Valley, a smooth start to the school year is anticipated at all four schools, which also begin classes on Aug. 22. That could change for Scotts Valley Middle School students, if final environmental hurdles are cleared and a two year reconstruction project begins in the New Year.
San Lorenzo Valley has 25 new staff at its four school, including nine new teachers. Also there are new principals at the high school, middle school, and San Lorenzo Elementary.
Jeff Calden, a veteran teacher and administrator, moves from middle school principal to high school principal. The new assistant principal is Ned Hearn, a veteran SLV teacher.
Calden’s wife, Shannon, moves from elementary principal to middle school principal.
The new elementary principal, Jennifer Lahey, is another veteran SLV teacher.
The SLV administrative team will be joined by a new Sheriff’s Deputy Resource Officer, Deputy Kris Koenig, a 1999 SLV graduate.
Also at SLV, Danielle Winters is the new assessment and data coach.
Chris Coulson, a middle school teacher, is the new high school athletic director at SLV.
