OROVILLE – Despite being rehired for next year, Patricia Scott, Oroville Junior-Senior High Principal, announced last week that she would be retiring from that position.

“As you may or not be aware, Mrs. Scott announced her retirement Thursday morning at a staff meeting. This, of course, has raised anxiety, as change tends to do. I was originally going to speak to high school staff on Monday morning to let them know my plans for this position, but there is much speculation and the entire staff undoubtedly would like to know who is going to fill this position as soon as possible,” wrote Oroville School District Superintendent Steve Quick in an email to staff and school board members last Friday entitled ‘New High School Principal Announced.’

Quick went on to say that Scott had done an excellent job this year and asked staff to congratulate her on her success and join with him and wish her the best in her retirement.

“At this time, it is my great pleasure to announce that at the June board meeting I will be recommending Mrs. Kristin Sarmiento to be the new Jr./Sr High School principal starting with the 2011-12 school year,” wrote Supt. Quick.

Quick said he chose to base his recommendation on many factors, including the fact that Sarmiento went through the interview process last year and was one of the top two candidates when Scott was given the nod because of her years of experience as being a building administrator.

“…but ultimately the committee felt that either one of the candidates would be extremely qualified, had excellent credentials and unique experiences that would help them be successful,” wrote Quick. “For me, it seemed silly to post this position once again this year as I feel we have the top candidate already in our district. I would not want to waste her time or any other candidate’s time only to reconfirm what we already know about her. I believe the transition will be an easy one for everyone and our quest for excellence will continue uninterrupted.”

Sarmiento, who has her endorsement in P-12 Principal, is National Board Certified and has a BA in English and an MA in Education. She also has endorsements in K-12 Bilingual Education, K-8 Elementary English, K-12 English as a Second Language and 4-12 English/Language Arts. She has taught kindergarten and sixth grade and High School English. Sarmiento served as both Special Education Director and Federal Programs Director from 2008 to 2011 and Curriculum Director from 2009 to 2011. In addition, she has coached tennis, girls’ soccer, girls’ basketball and volleyball.

“For me this is an easy decision that is not simply based on her credentials, but I have seen her work in the classroom with great success, have watched her coach athletes, and the past three years have worked with her as she has filled her multiple role in Special Education, Curriculum and Federal Programs. She works tirelessly for the good of our students and district and is obviously committed to making the Oroville School District the Pride of the Valley,” Quick wrote, asking that people join him in congratulating Sarmiento on the new position.

“I am excited to have her in this new role and I know she is equally excited to take on this new challenge,” Quick wrote.

Quick will officially make his recommendation to the school board at their Monday, June 27 meeting. The meetings begin at 5 p.m. and are held at the district office located at 816 Juniper Street.