Boone new principal at Fallbrook High

Students at Fallbrook Union High School (FUHS) will have the opportunity to meet their new principal at the beginning of the school year. Larry Boone, formerly of Lompoc Valley Middle School, was hired by the Fallbrook Union High School District board of trustees to take the helm at Fallbrook High.

Superintendent Dr. Hugo Pedroza stated that between 40 to 50 applicants applied for the position. While Pedroza and Boone have worked together previously in Santa Monica and Lompoc, Boone was unanimously chosen as the candidate for new principal by a hiring panel of teachers, students, and invested members of the community.

"He is well-qualified, and brings a lot of secondary experience," said Pedroza. "He better understands the concept of transition between the middle school and high school grades, as well as a knowledge of the small learning community concepts we are pursuing."

Boone, who has several degrees in education and experience as an educator as well as an administrator, stated that he wants to help students understand that he and the rest of the district are focused on their success.

"Everyone is yearning to make our high school great again,"

said Boone. "They talk about the glory days, but all the pieces are

there to make this high school one of the best."

As a former resident of Los Angeles, Boone stated he understands how going to the right school can have a significant role in a student's future.

"In Los Angeles, I saw the disparity first hand, and because my mom bussed me to the Valley, I now had the choice of which college I was going to, instead of whether or not I was going to college," he said.

Boone stated that his past work experience at Lompoc allowed a unique work experience that would benefit the high school district, including working at a school with both high amounts of English Language Learner and military students in its population.

"The last district I worked at had a similar demographic with 60 to 70 percent of students being English Learners," said Boone. "My administrative style is the belief that all can learn at high levels, and having higher expectations for the students. I believe that they can become learners for life."

Pedroza stated that Boone was selected based on his strong emphasis on how to build and maintain good relationships with teachers, staff, and community.

"I expect him to continue to push the envelope of excellence," said Pedroza. "There's a lot of work to be done, and as in any high school, or any district with a new leadership, we want to move very deliberately in the direction of getting better. The high school principal is an important piece."

Boone said that he hopes his emphasis on relationships will allow for a solid community at the high school.

"I am a big believer in community relationship building," he said. "Whether things are going well or whether things are not going well, we still need to have a relationship with respect. One of the reasons I chose to come here was that everyone is focused on what's best for the students. The educators that I have met are big believers in the school and students. My goal is to make Fallbrook High one of the best."

Former principal Rod King was released from his position at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. Pedroza stated that the ending relationship with King and the district was "not unfriendly whatsoever."

"I respect Mr. King a great deal as a professional," said Pedroza. "He is a person who has put in a lot of years at the high school."