The Cupertino Courier

High school district hires a new Homestead principal

By Justin Berton

The Fremont Union High School District board expelled a student from one campus and added a new principal to another at its meeting Feb. 3.

The student was removed from the district for possessing or furnishing a controlled substance, according to Joe Bettencourt, director of students and community service.

"The district has a zero-tolerance policy on that subject," Bettencourt said.

The board also unanimously voted to hire Eric Paulson as the new principal at Homestead High School. Paulson, who was raised in Sunnyvale and studied at Santa Clara University, said he was happy to return to the South Bay. "It's like coming home for me," he said. He will leave his job as principal at Carmel High School, where last week classes were canceled due to flood damage. Looking forward to his new position, Paulson said fast changes aren't on the agenda.

"Right now it's important for me to get to know the kids, the teachers, the staff, and then I'll go from there," he said from an emergency telephone when reached at Carmel High.

At Carmel, Paulson said, he was most proud of introducing a community mentorship program to students and increasing their access to technology.

Paulson is no stranger to the Fremont district. He was assistant principal at Homestead from 1988 to 1990. He also worked at Monta Vista as a teacher and counselor from 1975 to 1988.

Paulson replaces David Payne, who left to start a Web site business and work as a consultant to schools in San Jose.

Paulson begins his duties March 9.

[ Back to Contents Page | Cupertino Courier Home Page | Archives ]