Downey Unified announces new principals and admins for 2019-20

DOWNEY — The Downey Unified Board of Education would like to announce the appointment of five new principals as well as two new directors at the district office.

Over the summer, Downey Unified appointed two members of the Downey Unified family who are transitioning from school sites to the district office.

Dr. Rani Bertsch, former principal of Griffiths Middle School, has taken the role as Director of Secondary Education and Dr. Robert Jagielski, former principal of Sussman Middle School, has taken the role of Senior Director of Student Safety, Wellness and Engagement (previously Student Services).

Also approved over the summer, promotions and transitions have been made at various campuses across the district that have led to naming new principals at two elementary schools, two middle schools and the continuation high school.

After the retirement of Gauldin Elementary School’s principal Dolores Goble last school year, Sylvia Ramirez has been named the new principal of Gauldin. She will be leaving Rio San Gabriel Elementary where she served as vice principal for two years.

Appointed to this principalship late last year, Diana Verduzco continues to lead the Carpenter Elementary School campus into a successful new year as she advances the fifth grade and Dual Language Immersion programs forward.

With the transition of Dr. Bertsch and Dr. Jagielski to the district office, Dr. Connie Quintero has been selected as the new principal of Sussman’s Middle School and Dr. Anthony Zegarra as the new principal of Griffiths Middle School.

Dr. Quintero will be bidding Downey High School farewell where she served as assistant principal for the last four years. Dr. Zegarra will transition levels as he steps away as principal of Columbus High School to take on the new venture of becoming a middle school principal.

With Dr. Zegarra’s transition, an opening at Columbus High School became available and it was unanimously decided to appoint assistant principal Dr. Xochitl Ortiz as the new principal to lead the campus forward.

“The first day of school for all students is Wednesday, August 14, 2019,” expressed Superintendent Dr. John Garcia. “I can’t wait to get the 2019-20 school year started to continue our journey of preparing each of our students to be 21st Century learners who are college and career ready, globally competitive and citizens of strong character.”