Swartwood named principal at Golden Valley High School

Kevin Swartwood, associate principal at Merced High and a longtime football coach in the county, will take a new post as principal at Golden Valley next week.

The decision was finalized Wednesday night at a Merced Union High School District governing board special meeting. Swartwood’s first day as principal will be Tuesday.

“I’ve always had a goal in the back of my mind to be a principal,” Swartwood said. “I’m fortunate enough to get the opportunity to do it at Golden Valley.”

Swartwood will replace Constantino Aguilar, who was promoted to executive director of technology and innovation for the district. Aguilar has been with MUHSD for 19 years.

Swartwood has worked as an associate principal at Merced High School for two years. He began working at the district in 1985 as a science teacher and coach. Since then, he has held multiple coaching positions at different schools.

Swartwood has many ties to Golden Valley High. He worked as the athletic director at Golden Valley when the school opened. His children also graduated from the school, he said. “There’s a lot of people there that I still admire and respect,” he said of the staff.

Ralph Calderon, the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources, said Golden Valley is lucky to have Swartwood. “He has a wealth of experience,” he said. “He’s been a teacher, coach and administrator. He’s seen the world from just about every side.”

Aguilar said goodbye to students and staff Friday after more than four years of being principal at Golden Valley. “There are amazing things that happen at Golden Valley every day,” he said. “It’s been an honor serving everybody at Golden Valley for the last four-plus years.”

Aguilar begins his new post at the district office Tuesday as well. There, he will work on technology professional development for staff and expanding the district’s career and technical education programs to all students.

Calderon said Aguilar’s new position will help teachers integrate technology into the classroom and share best practices for using Chromebooks.

Aguilar will work with Scott Weimer, the executive director for curriculum and instruction, Calderon said. Those positions were filled over summer as the district shuffled its organizational chart, he said.

“If you look at the individuals taking these positions, these are individuals who have been with the district for a very long time,” Calderon said. “They’re committed to the kids in these three cities.”

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 9:56 AM with the headline "Swartwood named principal at Golden Valley High School."