POWAY – Two new elementary-school principals are on board in the Poway Unified School District, joining five others announced previously.
The newly announced principals and their schools are:
Richard Newman, Monterey Ridge Elementary School in 4S Ranch.
Newman has been principal of Edison Elementary School in Torrance, and has also been an education program officer at The Wallace Foundation, which supports education, arts and culture.
He holds a bachelor of science degree and a master's degree in international affairs from Florida State University, and an educational doctorate from the University of San Diego. He replaces Rebecca Wardlow, who left for a position with Ashford University, an Iowa-based institution that has an online operation in San Diego.
Joe Erpelding, Tierra Bonita Elementary School in Poway.
Erpelding transfers from Dailard Elementary School in San Diego and has been vice principal at Lewis and Dana middle schools, also in San Diego. He had previous teaching positions in the Poway Unified district.
He earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from San Diego State University, and a master of arts degree in educational administration from National University. He replaces Sabria Pedretti, who requested and received a part-time position with the district.
The district's Sundance, Los Peñasquitos, Deer Canyon, Chapparal and Painted Rock elementary schools also are have new principals. The new school year starts Aug. 19.
Jeff Ristine: (760) 737-7578; jeff.ristine@uniontrib.com
