If it isn’t broke, please don’t fix it

FOR THE FOURTH time in five years Volcano Vista High School is looking for a new principal. One of the feathers in the APS cap, Volcano Vista is an example of what a good high school should be, with a diverse, engaged student body tended by an excellent, committed faculty and staff.

The first principal, Yvonne Garcia, left to help turn around another APS high school. The second principal, Shelly Green, moved up to take an administrative position within City Center and current principal, Valerie Atencio, who was a vice principal at Volcano Vista, was appointed to the interim position at the beginning of the current school year.

Atencio has done a remarkable job at Volcano Vista, exhibiting a professional, easy-to-approach manner while winning tremendous support from students, parents, faculty and staff. The transition to new leadership, under Atencio’s guidance, has been smooth and sure and consistent; Volcano Vista needs consistency.

Rather than removing the interim status from her title, and naming Atencio as the principal, APS has chosen to open the position to applicants who will undergo the vetting process; Atencio will be required to submit her name to this pool.

Why fix something that is not broken? When something works as well as things do at Volcano Vista they should be allowed to continue. The best person for the job is already sitting in the principal’s chair; Atencio should be named principal of Volcano Vista. Don’t look any further. ANDREW HORWITZ West Side