The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

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Acting Principal Rodriguez fills in for Diorio

Frank Rodriguez poses for a photo in the Palo Alto High School Tower building. Rodriguez will step in as Acting Principal during Principal Kim Diorio’s medical leave. According to a message from Superintendent Karen Hendricks, Rodriguez has worked at Paly before with both student services and Special Education. Photo: Nisha McNealis
Frank Rodriguez poses for a photo in the Palo Alto High School Tower Building. Rodriguez will step in as Acting Principal during Principal Kim Diorio’s medical leave. According to a message from Supt. Karen Hendricks, Rodriguez has worked at Paly before with both student services and Special Education. Photo: Nisha McNealis

Frank “Pancho” Rodriguez will serve as interim principal at Palo Alto High School while Principal Kim Diorio is on medical leave.

In a message sent to students’ families on Feb. 23, Supt. Karen Hendricks stated that Diorio would be back “sometime in the Spring.”

According to Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson, Rodriguez began his job as substitute principal this morning at 8:30 a.m.

This is not Rodriguez’s first time working at Paly. “Last time he was here, he was the substitute assistant principal for Ms. [Victoria] Kim in November and December,” Berkson said.

According to an additional message from Hendricks released to staff on Friday morning, Rodriguez has extensive administrative experience as the founding principal of Pajaro Valley High School and a short-term administrator at Aptos High School, E.A. Hall Middle School, Lake View Middle School, Rolling Hills Middle School and Carmel High School.

As the Founding Principal of PVHS, Rodriguez won the 2012 Ally to Queer Youth Award for his efforts to create a safe, positive climate for LGBT youth. When Rodriguez retired as PVHS principal in 2014, both graduation rates and university enrollment rates had accelerated, according to Hendricks.

In her statement, Hendricks said, “Mr. Rodriguez will help support and shepherd the good work, focus on learning, and on providing continuity in this interim period.”

Rodriguez said he was unavailable for an interview this afternoon, but The Paly Voice is hoping to sit down with him next week to hear about his plans for his time at Paly.

About the Contributors
Nisha McNealis, Managing Editor
Nisha is a senior at Palo Alto High School and Managing Editor of The Paly Voice. She also debates for the Paly Speech and Debate team and plays tennis, and she's the co-president of the Girls in STEM Club at Paly. Outside of school and extracurriculars, she loves spending time with friends and watching The Office.
Dylan Zou, Managing Editor