Principals, special education director, hired

Three new principals have been hired by the Douglas County School Board.

Cris Etchegoyhen, Chris Perdomo and Martin Swisher were all hired as first-time principals this fall for Gardnerville Elementary School, Zephyr Cove Elementary School and Carson Valley Middle School, respectively.

"We're betting on new folks doing a good job," Superintendent John Soderman said.

He said school principals learn soon that the "buck stops there."

Also, at the elementary level, there are no vice principals.

School board trustees approved the recommendation with few comments during a 10-minute special meeting Thursday at Douglas High School.

"They're good choices," trustee Connie Wennhold said.

Swisher said he's not overly intimidated by the prospect of running Douglas County's second largest school in terms of student population behind the high school.

"If you weren't scared, something would be wrong," said Swisher, a Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School English teacher. He's also a former Carson Valley Middle School teacher.

Swisher said the middle school has a good staff and he'll work to improve communication between teachers and the administration at the school.

Swisher will take over the middle school during the next weeks. He replaces Rita Elliot, who is retiring after a 43-year career in education.

Like Swisher, Etchegoyhen's new job marks a return somewhat to her school.

Before the position of elementary vice principal was eliminated by the district, Etchegoyhen was a vice principal at Gardnerville Elementary School during the 1995-96 school year.

"I think I'll fit in with GES," she said. She added she looks forward to staying at the school for years to come.

Because of the staff's independence and experience, Etchegoyhen said the school can excel.

"If everybody comes together, there can be a lot of synergy," she said.

Etchegoyhen replaces Principal Cissy Tucker who is resigning to return to teaching after two years as the school's principal.

Chris Perdomo, a Pa-Wa-Lu Middle School vice principal, was hired as Zephyr Cove Elementary School's new principal to replace Dr. Will "Robbie" Robison, who is retiring from the district.

Frankie McCabe was also hired Thursday as the district's director of special services and programs appointment.

Soderman said McCabe "knows special education, as dicey as it can be, from top to bottom," Soderman said.

McCabe's new job is part of a reshuffling of jobs at the district office.