Ukiah Unified School District is excited to welcome back nearly 6,000 students and 1,000 staff members for the 2024-2025 school year. With 13 schools across our district, we’ve been gearing up for the start of classes and celebrating several significant developments that promise to enhance the educational experience for our students. This year, we are thrilled to introduce new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten classrooms at three elementary schools: Oak Manor Elementary, Nokomis Elementary, and Yokayo Elementary.
These additions reflect the community’s commitment to providing early learning opportunities that set the foundation for academic success. The TK program is designed to give our youngest learners the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to thrive as they continue their educational journey. In addition to the new classrooms, construction is currently underway at our three other elementary schools: Frank Zeek Elementary, Grace Hudson Elementary, and Calpella Elementary.
These projects will include new classrooms, upgraded infrastructure, and enhanced security measures. We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete these upgrades, which will ultimately provide our students and staff with safer and more modern learning environments. The new school year also brings new faces to both our schools and the district office.
We have recently welcomed several new leaders who bring a wealth of experience and a shared dedication to our students’ success. These individuals will play critical roles in guiding our schools and supporting our district’s mission to provide high-quality education to every student. We are thrilled to welcome Amanda Brown as the new Principal of Oak Manor.
Amanda brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as a Teacher on Special Assignment at the District Service Center, where she has made significant contributions to our district. Sharon Van Patten steps into the role of Principal at Calpella. Sharon is no stranger to Calpella, having served as the Student Success Coordinator last year.
With 13 years of experience teaching 3rd grade at Calpella and a strong background in administration, Sharon is well-equipped to lead. Kris Swett is the new Principal of our Adult School. Kris has been a dedicated member of our district for 17 years, most recently serving as the Principal at Big Picture South Valley and a teacher at Ukiah High School.
We are excited to see Kris’s positive impact in this new role. We are pleased to announce Scott Paulin as the new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. With 31 years of experience in education, including 12 years as a teacher and 19 years in administrative roles, Scott previously served as the Director of Alternative Education.
His extensive background makes him an invaluable addition to our leadership team. Yareli Macias has been appointed as the new Director of Alternative Education. Yareli brings 24 years of educational experience, most recently serving as an Assistant Principal at Ukiah High School.
Her deep understanding of student needs will be instrumental in her new role. Joining the leadership team at Ukiah High School, we welcome Eduardo Hurtado as the new Assistant Principal. Eduardo has proven his dedication to the school community as last year’s Dean, who previously served as UHS Assistant Principal, and we are excited about his continued leadership.
Jonica Vice, a valued member of Ukiah Unified for 14 years, is also joining Ukiah High School as assistant principal. Jonica previously served as the Career and Technical Education Coordinator, and her experience will be vital in her new role. Finally, we are delighted to introduce Kim Allen as the new Career and Technical Education Coordinator.
Kim comes to us from Temple City High School, where she spent 16 years teaching Entrepreneurship and Fashion Marketing. Her expertise will be a great asset to our district. Another hallmark of returning to school is Back-to-School Nights.
These nights allow teachers to show families what their children will learn during the school year. They are also an opportunity for families to connect with their child’s teacher and discover ways to engage with their child’s education. These events are fun social events, and we encourage parents to save these dates to the calendar to be sure to attend.
At Ukiah Unified, our focus is on continuous improvement, and we are proud to announce the launch of our new strategic plan, which will guide our efforts over the next three years. This plan ensures that every student is ready for college or an entry-level career upon graduation. Key areas of focus include perfecting first, best instruction practices, implementing multi-tiered systems supports for students, integrating technology and curriculum, fostering partnerships with families and teachers, creating a sense of belonging for all students, and ensuring equity across all our schools.
Our strategic plan is not just a document but a roadmap for action. We believe that every student’s educational journey is an EPIC one – full of discovery, growth, maturity, and the learning of new skills. This plan will help us create the conditions necessary for every student to thrive, both academically and personally.
Ukiah Unified School District serves a diverse community of nearly 6,000 students across 13 schools. Our district is located in the beautiful Coastal Redwood Forests of Northern California, and we are proud to offer a wide range of programs and services to meet our students’ needs. With a dedicated staff of nearly 1,000 professionals, we are committed to providing an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education for all.
Our district offers a variety of programs, including arts education funded by Prop. 28, which has brought exciting new opportunities to our students. From dance and stagecraft to video game design and woodworking, these programs are designed to engage students in creative and innovative ways.
We also have programs focused on STEM, Dual Language, and Career and Technical Education, with a particular emphasis on preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow. As we embark on this new school year, we are filled with optimism and excitement. The investments we are making in our facilities, the new leadership team we have assembled, and our strategic plan are all part of our commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of our families, staff, and community, and we look forward to working together to make this school year one of the best yet. Here’s to a successful and inspiring 2024-2025 school year!.
