New principal taking over at M-A New principal taking over at M-A (September 01, 2004)

By Jim MacKenzie

Dramatic change is something we seldom experience with our school administrations. It is unusual to have more than one of our four administrators leave at one time.

When Principal Eric Hartwig left M-A to pursue projects at the district office last June, he had led Menlo-Atherton High for nine years. Eric's administrative team had worked together for three consecutive years.

Therefore, it was a shock to many of us that both of our administrative vice-principals also departed at the end of the school year. The critical selection process would have to be rapid and the new team needed to be constituted and prepared to run the school in very short order. This created some anxiety.

District Superintendent Pat Gemma did an admirable job of spearheading the effort. He addressed the M-A staff about the circumstances, established criteria for selection, and made sure the process was inclusive, which meant that staff, parents and students were involved.

Most importantly, Superintendent Gemma took personal responsibility and committed himself to making sure that Menlo-Atherton selected a qualified and competent new administration.

Our school was also blessed with one remaining administrator -- Instructional Vice Principal Steve Lippi, a very gifted and dedicated administrator. His knowledge, concern, kindness and commitment make him one of the most admired employees in the district. We are truly fortunate to have him guiding the transition. The selection committees picked Norman Estrada to be Menlo-Atherton's new leader. When members of the visitation team interviewed Mr. Estrada's colleagues at Saugus High School in the Santa Clarita area of Los Angeles County, they were overwhelmed by positive feedback and genuine support for his candidacy.

When Norman visited the M-A campus last spring, the rest of the staff had an opportunity to see why people endorsed him so positively. Those staff members who had the opportunity to work with our new principal this summer describe him as patient, caring, a good listener, understated and one who reflects a quiet passion for the profession.

Mr. Estrada's friendly, open attitude, attention to details and inclusive leadership style all point to the conclusion that his tenure at Menlo-Atherton will be a long and rewarding one. Coincidentally, both our outgoing and incoming principals attended UCLA during the same years.

Mr. Estrada is joined on the administrative team by two other educators who, like Norman, were selected from outside the district. The timeline allowed Principal Estrada to take part in the selection of these two new vice-principals: Matthew Zito from San Francisco and Judy Duran from Fremont. Principal Estrada feels that both of these administrators are experienced, impressive and an ideal fit for M-A.

I am certain that there will be a short period of adjustment this year at Menlo-Atherton, but I look forward with great optimism to a stellar year and to positive interaction with one of the most outstanding administrative teams ever assembled at the school.

Jim MacKenzie teaches economics and psychology at Menlo-Atherton and is a member of the Almanac's Panel of Contributors.

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