This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
On Wednesday evening, the St. Vrain Valley School Board approved two new hires effective July 1, 2018. The positions being filled include: the Executive Director for Human Resources and the Principal for Sunset Middle School. The salary for each position will be assigned based on the St. Vrain Valley Schools schedule.
Ms. Katherine (Kate) Rodriguez has been selected for the position of Executive Director for Human Resources.
According to a memorandum presented to the school board:
Ms. Rodriguez graduated from Texas A & M University with a Bachelor of Arts in
Speech Communication. She continued her education at Boston College, where she
completed her Master of Education in Elementary Education, and she received her
Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Texas. In addition, Ms.
Rodriguez earned her Principal Licensure from the University of Denver and her Special
Education Director Licensure from the University of Northern Colorado.
For the past four years, Ms. Rodriguez has served as Special Education Area
Administrative Coordinator for St. Vrain Valley Schools overseeing special education
services in thirteen schools, preschool through high school. She has supported school
teams with developing student-centered interventions while also maintaining
compliance to federal, state and district policies. Prior to that, she worked as a districtwide Autism and Developmental Specialist for Adams 12 Schools. Ms. Rodriguez has also held the position of Special Education Resource Teacher, Special Education
Assistant and Special Education Inclusion Aide.
Mr. Anthony Barela has been selected for the position of Principal for Sunset Middle School.
According to the memorandum presented to the school board:
Mr. Barela graduated from Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and
Molecular Biology. He continued his education at California State University San
Marcos, where he completed his Master’s in Educational Administration.
For the past four years, Mr. Barela has served as Principal at Vista High School in Vista,
California. During his tenure, the school has been designated as a Top 10 XQ Super
School. The XQ award is a $10 million dollar competitive award established to
transform American high schools. During the 2016-2017 school year, Mr. Barela was
named ASCA High School Principal of the Year for San Diego County. Prior to Vista
High School, Mr. Barela was the principal at Roosevelt Middle, Paloma Elementary and
Red Hill Elementary schools. He has also held the position of Assistant Principal at four
different high schools.
