Gilroy
– John Perales addressed the Class of 2005 Mount Madonna
Continuation High School graduates for his third and final time as
principal Tuesday night. Next year, Perales will switch titles with
South Valley Middle School principal Paul De Ayora.
Gilroy – John Perales addressed the Class of 2005 Mount Madonna Continuation High School graduates for his third and final time as principal Tuesday night. Next year, Perales will switch titles with South Valley Middle School principal Paul De Ayora.
The move was made by Superintendent Edwin Diaz in order ensure South Valley’s expanding student population receives the attention they need.
“It’s an attempt to take the strengths of each administrator and assign them according to their strengths,” Diaz explained.
In the three years Perales has served as principal at Mt. Madonna, attendance rates have steadily climbed as well as student participation in state standardized testing – often because of incentive programs he devised.
This year, Mt. Madonna was recognized as one of the top 11 continuation high schools in the state – there are 521 in California.
Perales motivates students to succeed by creating a friendly environment for students, Diaz said. He makes them want to come to school.
“When you have a good program kids come,” he explained.
The student body at Mt. Madonna is highly mobile. And many, have overcome rough family lives and personal experiences to get where they are.
“We need someone who’s going to be more a part of the community (at South Valley) and establish relationships with parents,” Diaz said. “(John Perales) relates well with that type of community. There’s a lot of trust.”
Perales knows each student on Mt. Madonna’s campus. He knows their histories – even if they don’t always know him. This makes it hard for him to leave.
“I’m excited,” he said about moving to South Valley. “It’s a promotion for me. But it’s also sad. I’ve come to really love the staff and students here.”
De Ayora, who has a lot of experience working in intervention programs, will move from overseeing about 800 students at South Valley to less than 200 at Mt. Madonna.
“Paul has a real good ability to work with staff and support staff as they improve an institution,” Diaz said. “I think he’ll be able to support them in the direction they’re already going in.”
