Desert Sands board formally welcomes new principals, safety director and student board member

The Desert Sands Unified School District board on Tuesday introduced and welcomed several newly promoted administrators and the district's first student board member for the school year. Superintendent Dr. Kelly May Volmar introduced Julia Burbank as principal of Johnson Elementary School, James J. Harper as principal of John Glenn Middle School, and Caitlin Hubbard as principal of Monroe Elementary School. The superintendent also introduced Ephraim Jacobo as director of security and safety services, Shannon Palarmidi as assistant principal at Palm Desert Charter Middle School, Maribel Ramirez as assistant principal at Page Middle School, and William Rubio as nutrition services site manager for secondary sites. "I am so proud to be a Johnson Longhorn and to help lead the incredible team there," Julia Burbank said after her introduction. James Harper said he was "super thrilled" and noted his long history at John Glenn. Ephraim Jacobo, the new safety director, said he would make school safety his "number one priority." The board also welcomed Juan Ibarra as the student board member representing Summit High School and administered his oath. Closed-session actions announced during open session reported that the board approved several personnel appointments: Stephanie Yanez as assistant principal at Franklin Elementary School; Janelle Dunville as prevention and intervention psychologist; and Coral Montesinos Wilson as psychologist. Those appointments were approved in closed session on motions reported to have carried 5-0. Why this matters: The new site leaders and central-office hires will assume front-line roles at multiple district schools as the academic year begins, and the student board member provides a formal student voice for the year. Background details announced at the meeting included educators' degrees and years of service: Burbank has 33 years in education with 23 in the district; Harper has long experience building John Glenn Middle School; Jacobo served 17 years with the Imperial County Sheriff's Office; Rubio has 40 years in the food industry and 16 years serving Desert Sands. No contested votes were recorded in open session for these introductions; the board recessed to closed session earlier and later reported confirmation of the closed-session appointments.