New administrators to our District for the 2009-2010 school year

June 5, 2009


Dear Parents and Staff of the Ross Valley School District,

I am very excited to announce two new administrators to our District for the 2009-2010 school year. Each of the candidates was selected after interviewing with a representative panel from the District. The interview process in Ross Valley is a collaborative effort among parents, teachers, classified staff, trustees and administrators. Jason Kerber was selected from a pool of very strong candidates as the new principal for Manor School. The Manor Principal interview team was composed of 11 members (two teachers, the Title I teacher, two parents representing the K-5 Program and the MAP Program, one trustee, two classified staff and three administrators). Jason will begin at Manor School mid-January of the 2009-10 school year. Mr. Kerber is currently the Assistant Principal at Madrona, a K-6 School in Sea-Tac (Seattle/Tacoma), Washington. He has shared responsibility with the principal for instructional leadership, analyzing student data, and planning and leading professional development in math, literacy and intervention strategies for certificated and classified staff. He taught for five years in the Seattle Public Schools, teaching 5th grade in Tops K-8 Magnet School and 4/5 and 5th grade in a Highly Capable program at Leschi Elementary School. In addition to teaching, he worked as a social worker with disability patients with drug and alcohol issues. Additionally, he has been an independent consultant working businesses on their human resources development. He spent three years leading work teams for Habitat for Humanity. He is committed to building schools through community. Jason will be moving to California with his new wife this summer. We are very excited to welcome him to the Manor Community and Ross Valley. 

We also have a new administrator at White Hill. The new assistant principal, Jason Richardson, is currently the Dean of Students at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael, responsible for student discipline, academic counseling, facilities, scheduling, and GATE. After interviewing a pool of very strong candidates, Jason came out as the clear front runner for all 13 members of the interview team (three teachers, two classified staff, the school counselor, three parents, a Board member, and three administrators). Prior to becoming Dean, Jason taught for eight years of 5th grade at Coleman Elementary and 6th and 7th grade Math at Davidson. In addition to teaching mathematics at the middle school level, he served as the Davidson Middle School math coach for 6th and 7th grades. Jason is married and has two children; his older child is a 2nd grader at Brookside Upper. He is very thrilled for the opportunity to work with the White Hill community. David will work with Michele and Nancy to find a time for Jason to be introduced to the White Hill staff before everyone leaves for summer break. 

Please join me in welcoming Jason Kerber and Jason Richardson to our Ross Valley Community.

Sincerely,
Bryce Sumnick, Superintendent