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Farkas is new principal of Fallbrook High School

The new big man on campus at Fallbrook High School likes to joke about his 5-foot-9 stature.

"Because of my height, I can get around and the kids don't see me," said Dr. David Farkas, who was hired as principal of Fallbrook High School by the Fallbrook Union High School District board of trustees.

Farkas replaces Larry Boone, who abruptly submitted his resignation Nov. 8, 2017 citing "urgent personal matters." Boone had held the principal position since July 2015.

Farkas, who beat out 20 applicants for the position, comes to Fallbrook High from the Hemet Unified School District, where he spent 12 years in administration, including nine years as a principal.

Farkas served as principal of Cottonwood School (K-8) from July 2008 to June 2013 before being named principal of Hamilton High School in July 2013. Farkas left the principal post at Hamilton during the holiday break when he landed the job at Fallbrook.

"It's a new challenge for me," said Farkas of his new job. "I was at a smaller school so it's exciting to have a bigger school and new challenge."

Farkas said enrollment at Hamilton High School was 400. Current enrollment at Fallbrook High is 1,970.

During Farkas' tenure as principal at Hamilton High the school had three consecutive years of growth on state SBAC assessments, a graduation rate of 95 percent annually, and the district's highest student attendance rate (over 96 percent). While at Cottonwood, Farkas was honored in 2012 as the Hemet Unified School District "Principal of the Year" and the school earned the 2010 California Distinguished School Award.

"My pride lies within my relationships," said Farkas of his work as principal at the Hemet schools. "Teachers worked with each other. We had great teamwork. They (the schools) were good places for kids and that is what I was most proud of, leading people in a culture that was always productive for students. And then from that produced our distinguished school award, an increase in test scores, those kind of measurements that were always successful."

Since the hiring of educators normally happens in March and April for a starting date in July or September, FUHSD superintendent Dr. Hugo Pedroza said the district was fortunate to acquire Farkas.

"We're very lucky that Dr. Farkas applied," said Pedroza. "He was very interested and when we read his resume, it's very impressive. The man has done some very impressive things as a school principal.

"He gets it – that we're here for the students," continued Pedroza. "We look forward to a long-term relationship with him and for great things to happen at Fallbrook High School."

Farkas' first interaction with Fallbrook High students came Jan. 3, the first day of the second semester and the first day back in school after the holiday break.

"I was walking around (the campus) and it was just teenagers having a good time at the nutrition breaks, lunch breaks, and it was just an engaging vibe out there when it came to the culture," said Farkas. "I know we're on the right track when it comes to the energy on the campus because the kids were obviously happy. They might not tell you they're happy to be back in school but it was obvious to me, being the new kid walking around."

Farkas said the student breakdown at Fallbrook is comparable to that at Hamilton.

"The demographics are very similar," said Farkas. "It's almost like my previous school was the little brother of Fallbrook. We have a large majority of Hispanic and white students. Fallbrook percentage-wise has more English learners. We have programs in place and from what I've seen with the success, it's going on the right track to bring those English learners up to proficiency in English, so that's exciting."

Farkas said he is impressed with the number of programs offered at Fallbrook High School.

"Fallbrook has more programs, which are really neat," said Farkas. "The Ag program is really awesome, and the ROTC, I just learned we have about 180 students in it already and this is just year two (of the program). So that's something else. That's something that will keep growing."

Farkas said his first assignment as principal at Fallbrook High is to learn about the systems in place.

"The first goal is to understand and possibly refine some of our systems when it comes to how we're doing things within departments and with our house system to make sure that not only I understand it, but I'm supporting where we're going with the system to reach our vision, which would be, number one, engaging all our students in the classrooms," said Farkas. "They were focused on student interaction here prior to my entry and we're going to continue that.

"Second, to make sure all of our students are graduating and moving on to college and careers," continued Farkas. "So, 100 percent would obviously be the goal for our seniors every year, to graduate and move on to college or job preparedness."

Farkas, 46, would like both faculty and students to know that he is "here for the long haul."

"This isn't another piece of a resume that has some other career goal," said Farkas. "I'm excited about where we are and where we're going, including seeing the school succeed in every way, whether it's student interactions and culture, and, again, those assessment points like our state testing, our graduation rates, everything that goes with SATs and college entry."

Farkas said he likes to believe he's a "fair and balanced" individual.

"I believe we should follow through with our expectations, but when you deal with teenagers there needs to be some opportunities for learning and growth and second chances," said Farkas.

Farkas added that people working together is the key to a successful high school.

"Teamwork and some compassion," said Farkas. "Everyone has different challenges in life. We're all a bunch of humans so it's important to pick each other up, whether it's adults or other students, or students and adults together, it's important. Everybody runs into challenges, so how do we work together to overcome them? If it's just you having to overcome your own challenges, it's pretty difficult, especially being a teenager. It's not easy being a teenager."

Sharon Koehler, president of the FUHSD board of trustees, said six of the 20 applicants were interviewed for the principal position.

"I think he's a great choice," said Koehler of Farkas. "We have high hopes for him."

 

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