It
’s official – Rich Knapp, former co-principal and former
principal of Live Oak High School, was named transition principal
for Sobrato High School at Monday night’s Board of Education
meeting.
It’s official – Rich Knapp, former co-principal and former principal of Live Oak High School, was named transition principal for Sobrato High School at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.
“I am pleased to announce that Rich Knapp will provide leadership in developing a transition plan for Sobrato,” said Superintendent Carolyn McKennan. “He has already guided much of the work to date, been involved with the planning.”
Knapp was principal at Live Oak for six years, serving as co-principal for this school year with former associate principal Nancy Serigstad.
Serigstad was named sole principal of Live Oak Monday night, effective immediately.
Duties for Knapp during the construction of Sobrato include: developing a marketing plan to present to the community describing the process of opening a new high school, with timelines for staff and protocols for employees; work with the middle schools to develop a “culture” for Sobrato, including choosing school colors and mascot; working with the boundary committee, with individual departments in the district and with a steering committee he will create; and other duties.
“We are poised for the transition of our ninth grade students into a 9-12 configuration,” Knapp said Monday. “The opening of Sobrato will allow for that to take place, at both high schools. I want both schools to have coordinated programs … and I have a great partner in this in Nancy (Serigstad).”
Knapp has been an advocate for moving the district’s ninth graders into the high school. The Morgan Hill School District is one of four districts in California with 10-12 high school configurations.
Ann Sobrato High, named for the matriarch of the family that donated land to the district, is scheduled to open in fall 2004. Construction on the school began with a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 18.
Knapp said he still plans to attend Live Oak functions, such as graduation in June.
“I love Live Oak,” he said. “I really didn’t want to let go. But Nancy is ready to be principal of Live Oak, to be an outstanding principal in this district. Both she and I will work very hard over the next year and a half.”
Serigstad said she has benefited from the time she has worked with Knapp.
“I am so fortunate to have been mentored by Rich,” she said. “I am sure that we will both give it our all.”
