New superintendent for Christian schools
Gilroy’s Pacific West Christian Academy and Anchorpoint Christian Schools have merged, forming the Pacific Point Christian School District and naming former Gilroy teacher and principal Sergio Montenegro as their superintendent.
The district will continue to offer preschool at their campus on Kelton Drive and elementary school at their site on Mantelli Drive. As part of the merge, they will move their current junior high to the campus on Pacheco Pass Road and open a new college prep high school in Fall 2014, starting with a 9th grade class and adding one grade level each year until it is a full, four- year high school. They will also offer customized general education, vocational and early college tracks for 7-12 graders at The Point, a site located in downtown Gilroy on Monterey Road.
“I am honored to serve Pacific Point Christian Schools. I look forward to partnering with parents, to educating students for the future and to serving our local churches and community,” said Montenegro.
A father of two, he and his wife, Daphne, are moving from Monterey County to Gilroy to be closer to the community they serve.
Montenegro began work Jan. 6 and previously served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Monterey County Office of Education and Superintendent at North Monterey County Unified School District. During his tenure at NMCUSD, he oversaw eight schools and an employee workforce of approximately 500 in a district that serves 4,200 students.
“Montenegro is a person of the highest character, and he is known for his honesty and willingness to take on tough issues,” said Eric Smith, the lead teaching pastor of South Valley Community Church. “He has a passion for educating young people. We are extremely fortunate to have a leader of Mr. Montenegro’s caliber joining us. He is remarkably qualified for the job.”
Montenegro is no stranger to the Gilroy community. He served as a teacher at Rucker Elementary School for three years and a principal at Luigi Aprea Elementary School for five years. Both sites belong to the Gilroy Unified School District.
Montenegro earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Vanguard University and a master’s degree in administration leadership from San Jose State University. He is fluent in Spanish and holds a professional clear California administrative services and standard teaching credentials.
“It is a privilege to have Sergio Montenegro on our team,” said Smith. “We could not be more fortunate to have this dynamic Christian leader come to represent Christian education in the South County.”
Assemblymember Alejo to pick ‘Woman of the Year’
March is Women’s history month, and Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) is searching for one woman from the 30th Assembly District that has significantly contributed to her community so he can recommend her to the California Legislative Women’s Caucus as the district’s woman of the year.
The 30th district includes South Santa Clara County, Salinas Valley, Monterey County, San Benito County, and the City of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County.
“Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate those who have worked to make the American Dream as attainable for our daughters as it for our sons,” said Alejo. “Our society has come a long way in striving for gender equality and recognizing women who are leading the next generation of Californians by example is a small token of appreciation.”
To nominate someone for the 30th Assembly District’s Woman of the Year, please submit a 50 word introduction briefly describing the nominee and her contributions to her community.
Nominations for Woman of the Year must be submitted before Feb. 14. To submit a nomination, please fax the 50 word summary to 916-319-2130 or send it to the mailing address below:
AD 30 Woman of the Year Submission
c/o Assemblymember Luis Alejo
P.O. Box 942849, Room 2117
Sacramento, CA 94249-0030
