San Onofre school principal earns promotion

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Lillian Perez, principal of San Onofre Elementary School since 2014, has been selected to be the new director of the Expanded Learning Program for the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District. Trustees approved the promotion at their March 24 board meeting.

"It's exciting to be able to be able to provide opportunities for students with after school enrichment and intervention programs," she said during an interview this week.

She said she looked forward to being able to continue local partnerships with the Fallbrook Arts School, Boys and Girls Club and other organizations.

"Not only does it give students positive activities, but it also gives working parents a break during our school breaks," she said.

She said she would miss the strong relationships built at San Onofre and serving the military population, but that she would continue to have contact with the school. In fact, for the rest of the school year, she will be spending half of her workday on the campus in transitioning to the new position.

Perez was born and raised in Fallbrook, attending local schools. She has worked in education for 26 years, advancing from first-grade teacher to lead teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She still lives in Fallbrook and has worked for FUESD her entire career.

"She was built for the position," said Seth Trench, district spokesperson. "She doesn't need to build bridges; they've already been built."

Perez recalled attending many of the after-school programs as a local student and that her mother learned English in an adult program at La Paloma Elementary School.

During the March 28 school board meeting, the board unanimously approved the hiring. Trustee Caron Lieber commented, "We have all been recently at her school site and what a fabulous principal she is."

"It's really exciting," added Trustee Ricardo Favela.

Under the supervision of the assistant superintendent educational services, the director of Expanded Learning will oversee the operation and management of grant awards for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program and After School Education and Safety.

The director will oversee various school sites and supervise site leads at all after school programs to ensure students successfully transition from the regular school day to the before and after school programs, summer school programming, intercession programs, Saturday Schools and all other district-operated before and after school programs, according to a description approved by the board.

Perez will also evaluate the social and academic growth of students through data analysis and recommend changes to improve the quality of programs. The position requires flexible, non-traditional work hours and a work year calendar.

Joe Kniseley, principal at Fallbrook STEM Academy, has been selected to serve as the next principal at San Onofre. The district is working on a timeline to hire the next principal at the STEM Academy, which will be open to current FUESD assistant principals.