Lawrence-Emanuel is leaving the school to spend more time with his family in the Watsonville area and to move onto other opportunities. At the Los Gatos Union School District board meeting May 11, Superintendent Mary Ann Park announced the appointment of Lisa Fraser of Scotts Valley as Lawrence-Emanuel's replacement. The board unanimously approved the decision.

Fraser, who was unable to attend the board meeting, comes to the district with 22 years of experience in public education. She presently works in education consulting and served as principal of Aptos Junior High School for six years. She also served as an assistant principal of Carmel Middle School for eight years.

"We believe Ms. Fraser will bring exemplary leadership to Fisher," Park said. "She has studied, practiced and taught the theory and application of best-practices research related to managing organizational change."

Lawrence-Emanuel's last day of employment in the district is June 30, with Fraser starting July 1. Park said she appreciates the many hours Lawrence-Emanuel has devoted to Fisher and his articulate communication skills. She declined to comment as to whether Lawrence-Emanuel's leave was prompted by parent complaints and thanked Lawrence-Emanuel for his service to the district.

Fisher Assistant Principal Jim LaTorre described Lawrence-Emanuel as dedicated to community improvement and student achievement.

"What I'll miss about him is his genuine interest in helping kids," said LaTorre.

LaTorre said he and Lawrence-Emanuel have a sincere camaraderie, and the principal trusts LaTorre to take over aspects of the school's management. Lawrence-Emanuel is always available, and LaTorre said the principal is not the kind of person who will "throw in the towel" just because he's leaving.

"He'll be working up until the final hour," LaTorre said.

It's a good time for Fisher to gain a new principal, LaTorre said, because construction on the remodeled campus is almost finished and the school has gone through self-study, under the E-squared or Excellence in Education program.

"I've never seen anyone who works so well with this age group—middle schoolers," said Keri Kensinger McCormick, who teaches Fisher's leadership class.

Vice president of Fisher's student body and eighth-grader Jordan Kahler said he's enjoyed having Lawrence-Emanuel as his principal.

"I liked his personality and the way he didn't have a problem talking to students," Kahler said. "He's really a hands-on principal. He's always approachable and a disciplinarian."

Lawrence-Emanuel isn't the only administrator leaving the school district. The search is still on for a new principal at Blossom Hill Elementary School, Park said. Principal Charlotte Basinger is retiring in June after serving as principal for two years. She formerly worked for San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School and said she's looking forward to spending more time with her family during retirement.

"It's bittersweet, because the school has been my life," Basinger said.

Other retirements within the district include Blossom Hill librarian Fran Lucas, who has been at the school for 23 years; Blossom Hill second-grade teacher Nancy Stengele, who has been working in the district about 10 years; and Jane Hirata, who is retiring this June after teaching second grade at Louise Van Meter Elementary School for the past 35 years.

Five district employees were also selected by their colleagues to receive 2004 distinguished employee awards at the May 11 board meeting. Honorees included Misti Clark, Fisher school secretary; Sharon Litvinoff, Van Meter library specialist; McCormick, Fisher performing arts, UXL and student activities/leadership teacher; Maureen O'Hara, LGUSD nurse; and Jason Pedersen, maintenance specialist. They were acknowledged with a standing ovation by board members and the audience.