Geyserville schools start Wednesday, Aug. 15

Geyserville schools will be back in session on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

“There have been a number of changes over the summer,” said Joe Carnation, superintendent of Geyserville Unified School District.  “The most visible will be the retirements of longtime teacher Ken Johnson and  elementary school secretary Joyce Villarreal.”

In addition, District Business Manager Wendy Wood has taken a new position in the Wright School District.  The departure of those valued staff members brings some new faces to those positions.

Scott Boone, a recent graduate of Sonoma State University, has been hired as the new sixth grade teacher. He comes to Geyserville after a year of teaching middle school in the Roseland School District.  He also has worked as a special education aide for the Sonoma County Office of Education for many years.  ”We look forward to the enthusiasm he brings to the position,” said Carnation.

Christina Menicucci moved into the business manager’s position after completing a course offered by the Sonoma County Office of Education. And former Geyserville student Alina Vanoni Collin has been hired as the human resources director.

“With this talented group of new staff members, we look forward to the coming school year,” Carnation said.

At the elementary school, Whitney Westfall has been hired as secretary.  She will be very familiar to the students, having served as a program supervisor with the after-school program operated by the Boys and Girls Club.

Said Carnation, “much of the summer was taken up with the processes involved in hiring, however we did redo the athletic equipment shed  at the high school, as well as the shower complex in the coaches’ room.  We have approved contracts for dry rot repair on some of the buildings at the elementary school, and repaired aging drip lines and shut-off valves.  Nothing very glamorous, but necessary preventive maintenance.

“Each campus plans to continue the many activities that makes school a fun place as well as a learning place.  At the elementary school, there are monthly assemblies, geography contests, a student store and many opportunities for student leadership.

“At the middle and high school, we will continue, with the support of the Boosters,  to field many athletic teams. For middle school students. this will be the first opportunity for many of them to participate in organized athletics.  We will continue to participate in the California Interscholastic Federation and to require community service as a part of the students’ graduation requirements.  There is something for every student at Geyserville.”