MEAGAN CLEMENTS | staff writer
This year, the superintendent of the Azusa Unified School District, Cory James, hired four new principles for surrounding elementary and middle schools.
With over 65 applicants for the elementary schools and over 75 for the middle school, James admits he was nervous about selecting the right principals for the positions.
“Getting a new principal generates a lot of anxiety,” James said.
Because AZUSD schools are classified as “Title I,” meaning they have a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, James said he specifically looked for applicants who would have an understanding of how best to help second language learners, and a readiness to engage students and excite them about the learning process.
“We are looking for people [with] a good handle on what it takes to getskids involved,” James said.
So far, James said, the feedback he has received from the schools’ staff has been positive and he hopes that, with time, he will get to know the new leaders better.
“We feel that the administration is a primary role model for students,” James said.
But James was concerned with more than how the principals get along with their staff and students.
“Their ability to interact with parents was [also] important to us,” James said.
Hector Alegria came to AZUSD in hopes of making a difference in student’s lives and was happy to take on the challenge of working with economically disadvantaged students. James felt he would be well placed at Lee Elementary School.
Other placements include Marcie Brown at Hedge Elementary, Randi Carbahal-Cucci at Magnolia Elementary and Jane Ostrowski at Foothill Middle School. 
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