Bill Fagan has gotten his first report card as the new principal of Mojave High School and Desert Trails High School, which combine to form the Hesperia Unified School District’s Alternative Education Center.
Fagan has been named Continuation Principal of the Year by Association of California School Administrators for ACSA Region 12, which includes all of San Bernardino County.
"It’s gratifying," Fagan said last Thursday. "First year, I don’t know that I’ve really done anything to deserve it this early in my principalship, but if it brings honor to the school and the district, I humbly accept."
After years of working with former Alternative Education Center principal Arlene Gluck, Fagan stepped from the on-deck circle to home plate this year after Gluck moved into a position in the HUSD’s central office on Main Street.
"I think it’s going well. We’re having a good year. [There are] challenges with the growth of the city and the schools," he said. "I’m fortunate: I was the assistant principal here from ’99 until this school year."
Prior to that, he was a teacher at the school. The combination has given him a great deal of insight into the new job.
"People know you. Students know you. They know what you’re about," Fagan said. "People know that I have a real commitment and a real concern about alternative education. We have a unique opportunity to help kids in unique ways in a healthy environment."
But there were still surprises in store for him.
"I worked very closely with Arlene Gluck," he said. "She would say we were virtually interchangeable ... however, being the person who is ultimately responsible is very different."
One of those challenges is to keep the needs of both Mojave and Desert Trails students in mind. Each program is run very differently and is designed to meet the needs of different sorts of students.
"My office is sitting in the middle of Mojave High School. What you don’t want is you don’t want anyone to feel left out or feel like you’re not concerned about them," Fagan said. "You try to give everyone their attention they deserve."
One of the changes he’s implemented is creating leadership teams, where experienced staff members are given more authority and "Really relying on your key people, both your teaching people and your non-teaching support staff.
"It’s a different model, but it taps into lots of new ideas and gives people the opportunity to really take ownership of challenges."
One legacy Gluck left behind was an 18-year stretch as principal of the Alternative Education Center.
"I don’t know about the same number of years. I might be retired before that. I’m just enjoying this right now," Fagan said. "Anyone will tell you, this is where education really happens, right here on the school site."
Fagan will formally receive his award from ACSA at a dinner ceremony in San Bernardino on April 24.
Beau Yarbrough can be reached at beau@hesperiastar.com or by telephone at 956-7108.
