By Mary-Justine Lanyon
There is a new man at the helm of the Rim of the World Unified School District.
Dr. Paul Sevillano was appointed to the position of superintendent at the Feb. 22 meeting of the board of trustees.
“This is a momentous day for me and my family,” Dr. Sevillano said as the appointment, made in closed session, was announced. He introduced his wife, Karen, and three of their grandchildren: Brody and Cora, who both attend Lake Arrowhead Elementary School, and baby Lucy.
“We want to provide the best possible education we can,” Dr. Sevillano noted, adding he is looking forward to visiting all the schools and meeting the staff.
Dr. Gary Rutherford, who has served as interim superintendent, told the trustees they had “found gold in Dr. Sevillano. I’m convinced he is the right person for the job.”
Most recently, according to a press release issued by the district, Dr. Sevillano served as superintendent of the Farmersville Unified School District, a rural district of a similar size to Rim. He has been a classroom teacher, a high school assistant principal and principal, a director of child welfare and attendance and an assistant superintendent.
“Throughout his educational career,” said Jordan Zarate, president of the school board, “it seems Dr. Sevillano has demonstrated excellence, embodying a relationships-first leadership style that aligns with our district’s mission, vision and values. Past colleagues and key stakeholders consistently described him as a student-centered, servant leader who collaborates effectively with staff, guardians and community members.”
Dr. Sevillano holds a doctorate in K-12 leadership from USC, a master’s degree in educational administration and a bachelor’s degree in social science and physical education from Cal State Long Beach.
A California native, Dr. Sevillano and his family moved to Lake Arrowhead last December. “Serving in the district where my grandchildren attend school is a unique privilege that beautifully blends my personal priorities with my professional endeavors,” he said.
The board approved Dr. Sevillano’s contract, which begins on March 1 and continues to June 30, 2027, at an annual salary of $241,708.
GRANDVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In a public hearing regarding waiving certain procedures for the sale of the property that served as Grandview Elementary School, Wendell Wilson, representing the Mountain Homeless Coalition, addressed the trustees.
“We have been interested in this property for a number of years,” Wilson said. “We have a vision for it. We have transitioned into helping low-income people – affordable housing is now part of our program.
“We believe we have the ability to buy this property, which is a terrific piece of property.”
Wilson said their vision includes converting the classrooms to 40 units of affordable housing. This, he noted, is not a new idea: “Schools all over the country are being converted to housing. Housing is a major need on the mountain – for the elderly and the disabled.”
Later in the meeting, the trustees unanimously approved the waiver of “certain procedures” regarding the Grandview property and approved an agreement with Albert A. Webb Associates for the planning of future use of the property.
Parent Elaine Horan had spoken to the board last November, expressing concern about books she had found in the elementary school libraries. At the Feb. 22 meeting, she handed a list of titles available in the elementary school libraries to the trustees.
“Any student under the age of 18 should not have access to books about transgender, drag queens, killing,” she told the board. “Parents can go to the public library if they want their children to read them. I am asking the board to meet and discuss a policy with regard to what books are appropriate.
“Are our schools exposing our students to subjects that should be left to the discretion of the parents?” she asked.
Both President Jordan Zarate and Trustee Cindy Gardner referenced a new senate bill introduced by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (SB1429), a bill that came out of Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s report on last winter’s storms.
This bill would add snowstorms to the list of emergencies and would allow an emergency to be declared by a school district, the county Office of Education or a charter school. Right now, such an emergency can only be declared by the state.
“We’re the boots on the ground,” Gardner said. The bill would also allow a school district to pivot to online learning after five days of emergency.
Zarate noted that Senator Ochoa Bogh is asking Rim of the World Unified School District to be a sponsor of the bill. The board will consider a resolution sponsoring the bill at the next meeting.
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