Anderson will begin his assignment on July 1, and follows two interim principals--Bill Richter and Harry Bettencourt--who filled in this school year at Saratoga High following the resignation of Kevin Skelly last August. Skelly left the school district to serve as assistant superintendent in the Poway School District in Southern California.

According to Cindy Ranii, superintendent of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District, Anderson was selected following a four-month nationwide search. Staff, students, parents, community members and school board members were involved in the screening and selection process. Ranii made the recommendation to the school board at an April 25 special meeting.

Ranii also praised the work of the various committees and all who provided input during the selection process. A special thank you went to superintendents Lane Weiss, from the Saratoga Union School District, and Mary Ann Park, from the Los Gatos Union School District, who facilitated interview committees and to student board representatives Marlana Shile and Albert Chiang, who were active in the screening process.

Anderson, although a native Californian, has spent the last five years in New York. He has served there as assistant principal at Hunter College High School in New York City and more recently as assistant principal at Mamaroneck High School in Westchester County, N.Y. His responsibilities included operations, facilities, master scheduling, Regents' testing and supervision.

Prior to moving to New York, Anderson served as assistant principal at Napa High School in Napa, Calif., for four years. Before that he was a social studies teacher at Sonoma Valley High School, teaching Advanced Placement government, economics, U.S. history and world history.

On being appointed to lead Saratoga High, Anderson told district officials, "I am impressed with the thoughtful, collaborative efforts that are under way at Saratoga High School."

Anderson said he looks forward to working with students, staff, parents and community to "focus the collective intelligence of the Saratoga High School community on issues that cut to the heart of what it means to be an educated American."

Anderson said he looks forward to working with the school community on issues of diversity and how to maintain academic rigor, while engaging all students in learning. Ranii commented that Anderson's appointment is a wonderful match for the needs defined by Saratoga High's constituencies.

"I have every confidence that he will work effectively with all the groups that care so much about Saratoga High School," said Ranii in a school district press release. "He displays a deep caring for the intrinsic value of learning, and I know that he will find the right balance between respecting traditions and encouraging innovation."

Ranii also said he has extensive experience with some of the issues Saratoga High is struggling with right now, such as open access to Advanced Placement classes, grading policies, academic integrity and student stress in a high academic environment.

"Having worked in Napa and Manhattan, he comes uniquely qualified to work with our staff and community on those issues," Ranii said. "He comes in with no preconceived notions."

Anderson has eight years of experience as an assistant principal.

A visiting team including a student, parent, teacher and Ranii visited Anderson's school site in Mamaroneck, N.Y. Staff and students alike indicated Anderson is an outstanding educator and "a wonderful, genuine person."

Anderson will be relocating to this area with his wife Jennifer, 8-year-old daughter, Olivia, and baby daughter, Sonia.

Anderson earned a bachelor's degree in U.S. history at the UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in education at Sonoma State University. He earned his administrative credentials at Sonoma State University and California State University, Hayward.