Merced High principal promoted, interim replacement named

Merced High School Principal John Olson has been promoted to a district position, marking the second shakeup of “Bear Country” leadership since the start of the school year.

Olson, who was Merced High’s principal for seven years, began his new job this week as Merced Union High School District’s assistant superintendent for business services/chief business officer.

The move follows the September departure of Kevin Swartwood, who left his role as associate principal at Merced High to become principal of Golden Valley High School.

Merced High, which has about 1,700 students and is the city’s oldest high school, will be led by Associate Principal Brandi Bailey for the remainder of the school year.

Because Olson left the school in the middle of the academic year, it would be difficult to seek candidates immediately, said Ralph Calderon, assistant superintendent for human resources.

The district will wait until around April to post the vacancy and hopes to name a new principal around May. The new school leader would begin in July and be prepared to start the 2016-17 school year.

The job will be posted within and outside of the district, and a committee consisting of teachers, students, parents and community members will interview candidates.

The school’s leadership structure will help the transition go smoothly, Calderon said, since each associate principal’s role can be adjusted and each is cross-trained in areas such as curriculum or discipline.

Said Bailey, “It’s a well-oiled machine, being the veteran school in the district.”

Olson fills the district position vacated by Alan Peterson, who was named superintendent in October. Olson will oversee about 40 district employees in numerous departments.

Olson said he was honored to be chosen for his new role but also will miss the interaction with students at Merced High.

“The kids themselves, they’re serious students, well-rounded. I had people ask me, ‘Are you the principal? Your students are so polite.’ I really took pride in that,” he said.

“That’s a culture, an environment, that you develop. The other thing that is so impressive is the dedication of the teaching staff. They don’t mess around with instructional time. When it’s time to work, it’s time to work.”

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Merced High principal promoted, interim replacement named."