Silver Valley school officials change as classes near

YERMO • Two school officials are taking on new positions in the Silver Valley Unified School District while a veteran official leaves for a job in the Barstow Unified School District — all as SVUSD approaches the beginning of its school year in less than two weeks.

Dr. Vic Edinburgh, a retired SVUSD administrator who has recently filled various positions, will take over as interim principal of the district’s alternative education program at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year, according to Assistant Superintendent of Administration Aaron Haughton.

Edinburgh will replace Joni James, who was principal of the Alternative Education Center for the 2008-09 school year and has worked in SVUSD as a teacher and administrator for over 20 years, according to Steven Desist, director of human resources.

James, who oversaw the 65-student program, recently stepped up as BUSD’s new director of pupil services when she was approved July 16.

According to Haughton, the district has not yet advertised the principal position vacated by James.

“We haven’t had a lot of time to make the adjustments,” Haughton said.

Instead, the district is opting to have Edinburgh temporarily fill in. Edinburgh works as an administrative substitute, according to Desist, and during the 2008-09 school year filled in as interim assistant principal of Silver Valley High School as well as principal of Lewis Elementary School.

“He fills in gaps,” said Desist. The district is looking at a variety of hiring options for administrative positions due to current budget constraints, he said.

Silver Valley High School will welcome a new face when Marc Lacey steps onto campus as the new assistant principal. Lacey was the former dean of students at Quail Valley Middle School in Phelan. He worked in the Snowline Joint Unified School District from 2004-09. Lacey was not among the SJUSD staff laid off due to district budget cuts, said Desist. The board of trustees will vote to confirm Lacey’s appointment at Tuesday’s board meeting.

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