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Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Al Montgomery assumes the role of Homestead High principal on July 1.
Montgomery tapped for HHS principal position
By Michelle Alaimo
A nationwide search for a new Homestead High School principal has come to an end. Fremont Union High School District officials named Santa Clara High School principal Alan Montgomery to the job, effective July 1.
Montgomery replaces Eric Paulson, who transfers to Cupertino High School on the same day. Paulson replaces retiring CHS Principal Barbara Nunes.
"I think for where HHS is right now, he's the kind of principal who can pull together the school staff and parents and move the school in a new direction," said FUHSD Superintendent Joe Hamilton.
Montgomery, a one-time HHS parent, was chosen unanimously by the principal selection committee. FUHSD trustees also approved him by a 4-0 vote.
While the district received many qualified applications for the position, Hamilton called Montgomery the strongest of those applicants and the best fit for the school. During the selection process, Hamilton worked with staff, students and parents to develop a principal profile detailing the most desirable qualities of a new principal.
Individuals said they hoped to find a student-centered principal who would follow through on discipline. They listed commitment to the school and improved communications between school and parent community as desirable qualities. Additionally, staff members said they desired a principal who could work with them to set a new agenda for the school.
Hamilton said Montgomery has shown at SCHS that he could satisfy all those needs and more.
"Al is very much a student- and people-centered person," Hamilton said. "He is a very nice person but also a strong leader."
Montgomery described returning to Homestead as a "homecoming." His daughter, Michele, graduated from the school and now works as a teacher at CHS. His son also graduated from Fremont High School. Montgomery taught at CHS for more than 25 years and served as assistant principal at Monta Vista High School for three years. He served as principal at SCHS since 1997 and has been instrumental in helping to pull the staff together, Hamilton said.
As the new principal, Montgomery plans to bring some of the programs he helped initiate at SCHS to HHS, including more support for incoming freshman and more school-to-career programs.
"What I'm most interested in is the type of instruction and learning that is occurring inside the classroom," Montgomery said.
Montgomery also believes strongly in teacher empowerment, in which teachers help lead other teachers. He said he hopes to help former teacher leaders become leaders again.
While Montgomery's first official day isn't until July, the grandfather of two plans to start attending parent meetings as early as May, so parents and staff can become better aquainted with him. He plans to address at least one staff meeting before the end of the school year.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
