Koeppen settles in as superintendent/principal of Vallecitos School District

Dr. Maritza Koeppen, a bilingual educator with vast experience in overseeing Title I schools and English learner programs, is settling into her new position as superintendent/principal of the Vallecitos School District.

Koeppen started at Vallecitos Jan. 2 after having served the San Marcos School District for more than eight years. Koeppen coordinated English learner services, was a summer school principal and spent nearly seven years as director of special programs for San Marcos.

Koeppen took over the controls at Vallecitos from interim superintendent Gary Wilson, who stepped to the plate last August when David Jones left Vallecitos to accept the job as superintendent of the Bonsall Unified School District.

Vallecitos currently has 216 students and the following demographics: 86.11 percent Hispanic, 12.96 white and .93 multi-ethnic (two or more races).

"I really started researching the district and I loved everything about it, the community and the demographics," said Koeppen when asked what made her go after the Vallecitos job. "I was also told the kids were the best and they are. They're wonderful."

Koeppen also knew she was a good fit for the position.

"I was told they needed someone that was bilingual, had Title I experience or program experience, and knew about English learners, which is one of my specialties and areas of expertise," said Koeppen. "We do have a large English learner population.

"What really attracted me too is we have a large number of students on free and reduced lunch," continued Koeppen. "I really like working with this population to be able to provide additional opportunities, educate the families, and work with the parents. That's one of my goals – to really work with the parents and be able to provide support for them, help them to understand our education system and our goals, and how we're going to get the chance to get their students to meet those goals."

Koeppen, while admitting it's early, said she has been well received by parents.

"One of the parents stopped in the hallway and he was very excited to communicate with me and tell me what he's excited about," said Koeppen. "He let me know that he's here for me with whatever I need. So that was very nice."

Koeppen also expressed appreciation for how the staff at Vallecitos has welcomed her.

"It's a really nice, cohesive staff," said Koeppen. "They all work very well together. They've been here for years and know each other well. They may disagree on something but there's not any tension about it and they feel they can communicate with each other. There's a lot of camaraderie here."

Koeppen also complimented the teachers on Vallecitos' performance on California School Dashboard, which shows how districts and schools are performing on test scores, graduation rates and other measures of student success. According to Koeppen, dashboard uses the following color rating system: blue is best, then green, yellow, orange and red.

"One thing I really like about the school is that it's high-performing," said Koeppen. "We did receive a green, which I'm calling a four out of five. We got a four in the English language arts, math, and English learner. Our teachers are very committed to students."

Koeppen said one of her first priorities is educating parents on the importance of attendance, noting that some students were late returning from winter break due to their families' extended visits to their homeland.

"I want parents to really understand that students need to be in school and how every instructional minute is important," said Koeppen. "When we miss school, we miss out, as the little saying goes. I think they really need to understand that. I want the parents to be familiar with how you call in an absence and what is excused and what is not excused."

Koeppen, in performing her district office duties for the San Marcos Unified School District, developed a reputation for stretching a dollar.

"With Title I funding you can be creative and really try to optimize what we have," said Koeppen. "What I bring to the table is being able to be creative in how we offer different programs, interventions and supports to our students. I try to think differently, or outside the box, of what we can try with the funds that we do have."

Koeppen said Vallecitos' budget took a "big, big blow" last summer when county health officials informed the school that it had to replace its septic system.

"It was sort of an emergency situation where the health department came out and said this needs to be done," explained Koeppen, adding that the replacement cost was $575,000. "We were able to get a loan from the county office of education. They fronted us the money because we had to do it right away. We've applied for hardship funding from the state."

Koeppen said she wants to work on fundraising campaigns for a multi-purpose room and a playground.

"We have a strong need for a multi-purpose room," said Koeppen. "This is the first time I've been at a school where there is no multi-purpose room. It's been something teachers have asked for and it's really important. This is where kids can eat if its rainy or cold. Now, if we want to have an assembly, everything has to be outdoors. A typical classroom fits 30 kids; you can't really get that many more kids in there. So we're in need, I would say desperately, for a multi-purpose room."

The school lost a playground when county officials ruled it unsafe.

"Kindergarten has a limited playground but the rest of the school doesn't have a playground, which really saddens me," said Koeppen.

Koeppen noted that a lot of people are helping to fundraise and that there is a link on the school's website (www.vallecitossd.net) accepting donations for facilities in general.

"I heard we're one of the oldest schools in San Diego (County), so there's a lot of facilities needs here," said Koeppen of Vallecitos, which has a wooden sign on its property that proudly proclaims: "Vallecitos School, Founded 1885."

Koeppen said she would like to get the community more involved in the school. Ideas include reaching out to seniors to volunteer at the school, and partnering with local businesses.

"There's a lot of need here, so I really want to try to communicate with the community and do some partnerships," said Koeppen. "For example, we have some garden boxes out here that we could start a garden in, so maybe partnering with nurseries."

Koeppen, who owns a Ph.D. in education through San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University, said she wants students, parents and faculty to know that she is there for them.

"I'm here to listen and be supportive to their needs," said Koeppen. "I really want them to know that I'm a resource and that together we can make decisions for the best interest of students and families."