Principal Lisa Fraser, who replaces former Principal Ken Lawrence-Emanuel, says she's ready to tackle everything from major construction to strengthening the school's commitment to educational excellence. Fraser is making herself visible and accessible despite the chain-link fences, noise and building crews that have swarmed over the campus, which is under renovation this summer.

Fraser, 45, considers her job, which started July 1, to include "listening and learning." So she's been informally interviewing every staff member at Fisher—including five new hires, classified and maintenance staff, administrators and teachers—to understand their priorities and concerns.

"I view my job as principal as setting up direction for the school based upon the needs of the community," says Fraser, about two weeks before the start of school. "One of my fundamental jobs is to make sure the school is run efficiently and effectively so [the staff] can do their jobs."

Even though the campus may look far from complete, Fraser has been assured by construction crews that it will be ready for the first day of school on Aug. 24. The teachers officially return on Aug. 19.

"Lisa comes as an experienced middle school principal and has even coached other middle school principals," says Los Gatos Union School District Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Boxer-Gassman.

Boxer-Gassman says Fraser fit what the district staff was looking for in the position, and noted that the new principal has a genuine passion for working with children.

Fraser has lived in the Santa Cruz area for more than 20 years and currently resides in Scotts Valley. She started her career as a middle school teacher in 1981, but also has high school teaching experience. She most recently served as the director of community research at Applied Survey Research, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people build better communities. But her love of children has brought her back to middle school students.

"Most of us don't always associate junior high school as our most positive educational experience—and I don't think it needs to be that way," Fraser says.

Although she has no children of her own, Fraser says she enjoys the challenge of helping students successfully make "the big leap" from middle to high school—positively, seriously and safely, while still enjoying being in school.

Fraser's other challenges will include getting the school back to being operational after the construction; making sure students are involved in problem solving and leadership; creating meaningful parent and community involvement; and building trust and a consistent, common vision for Fisher with the staff.

"I'm looking at how to create a spirit of continuous improvement," she says. "My initial impressions are that the staff are absolutely committed and highly qualified, and I'm very excited about working with them as a team. It's really a privilege to be here."