The Castaic Union School District Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the appointment of Allison West to become the new principal at Castaic Elementary School.

The District conducted an extensive search for the new principal that included a panel of stakeholders including District administrators, CES staff and CES parents and community members to select an appropriate candidate for the board.

Earlier this year, current CES Principal Stephanie Beach was appointed by the board to begin the 2018-2019 school year as principal of Live Oak Elementary School. With Beach taking her role as principal at Live Oak, it opened the position at CES.

“We are honored to have Mrs. West continue her career with the district as a principal for the students and families for Castaic Elementary School,” said Castaic Union School District Superintendent Steve Doyle. “The commitment and work ethic she has delivered these past years was a clear indication that she is the perfect fit to guide our students on the right path to success.”

West began her journey with the District 19 years ago as a library technician and eventually became a teacher for grades first, second and fifth at Live Oak Elementary and Castaic Elementary.

In 2014, she was chosen to work at the District Office as a teacher on special assignment, overseeing the implementation of Common Core State Standards, revision of report cards and local district benchmarks, as well as being an instructional coach for new teachers.

Four years later, West was named Administrator on Special Assignment, where she currently oversees Title I, the Independent Study programs, in addition to assisting the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. In this role, she has been instrumental in implementing the District’s newly adopted ELA/ELD series and the computer-based intervention program, i-Ready.

During her tenure as an Administrator on Special Assignment, she worked closely with school sites and administrators to develop the District-wide Local Accountability Plan.

“The extensive experience Mrs. West has accumulated throughout these 19 years has prepared her for the challenges of being the new Castaic Elementary School Principal,” Doyle said.

West holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento, her teaching credential from The Master’s College, and her master’s degree and Administrative Credential from the University of La Verne.

Her new role as principal for Castaic Elementary School will begin on July 1.