After approval in closed session by the Morgan Hill Unified board of trustees along with Superintendent Wes Smith, the district filled two key positions at the district office.
Norma Martinez-Palmer was hired as the new assistant superintendent of education services, to replace Socorro Shiels who left to take a superintendent job in Santa Rosa. The assistant superintendent of education services supervises and coordinates the district’s instructional programs. She will serve on Smith’s cabinet and is an “active participant of the district management group,” according to MHUSD’s job description.
Rose DuMond was hired as the new director of student services, to replace Lisa Atlas who returned to principalship in San Jose. The director of student services takes on the responsibility of planning, development, coordination and management of special education programs, services, budgets and personnel and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. DuMond will also develop, implement and evaluate the district’s special ed programs, and will serve as a liaison with public and private agencies.
Martinez-Palmer has extensive experience as an administrator with San Jose Unified School District, where she has been employed since 1980.
Most recently she’s been the director of educational equity. Here’s a short resume for Martinez-Palmer:
- Director of educational equity, 2010
- Director of elementary education, 2009-10
- Director of bilingual education and special programs, 2004-2009
- Administrator of the Title VII grand project SUPERA, 2002-2003
- Manager of bilingual education, 1998-2002
- Administrator of Title VII systemwide grant project RISE, 1997-1998
- Elementary summer school assistant principal, 1997
- Classroom school site and resource teacher, 1980-1997
Education: Ed.D. in international and multicultural education from the University of San Francisco; she’s bilingual and has been honored as state administrator of the year in bilingual education in 2002 and teacher of the year for SJUSD in 1993.
DuMond most recently worked as assistant director of special services for the Fremont Union High School District. Here’s a brief resume list for DuMond:
- Assistant director of special services, August 2011-present
- Interim director of educational services, March 2011-August 2011
- Coordinator of special services, July 2007-February 2011
- Dean of students for Leigh and Branham high schools, 2004-2007
- Program specialist with Campbell Union HSD, 2002-2004
- School psychologist, 1999-2002
- School psychologist at Campbell Elementary School District, 1993-1999
Education: MS in school psychology, San Jose State University; BA in psychology, SJSU; DuMond is a nationally certified school psychologist and has received several honors for her work as well.
