Healdsburg public school classes started Wednesday, Aug. 17, almost a week later than those in Geyserville (Aug. 10) and Windsor (Aug. 11), but a day earlier than Cloverdale (Aug. 12). Regardless, by the time you read this your school-aged children should be in class.
In his “welcome back” speech to HUSD students, Superintendent Chris Vanden Heuvel sounded an optimistic note. “This year promises to bring even more normalcy and opportunities for our students and community to learn and come together.” He pointed out that the district was again able to have Open House at elementary schools, the annual Spring Fling, and promotion and graduation ceremonies all together, instead of by “virtual” event. “It was so great to come together again as a community and reiterate the importance of relationships for our students,” he said.
The superintendent also announced that two new principals are coming aboard to work with staff and students this coming year. Tiffany Doughtery, at Healdsburg Elementary School, and Nicole Odetto, at Healdsburg Junior High, both began working in the district over the summer, and welcomed their first students on Aug. 17.
Dougherty began her educational career as an elementary school teacher and gained extensive teaching experience in kindergarten and second grade before becoming an administrator. Her immediate previous position was at Eagle Valley Elementary in Eagle, Colo., where she served as principal for 9 years.
As a founding teacher at Roseland Collegiate Prep—formerly Ursuline High—Odetto was instrumental in designing school systems and culture as well as implementing new curriculum. She not only taught math and science, but was in charge of student activities, starting the school’s AVID program for first-generation college-bound students. She was promoted to vice principal in 2021, and hired by the district in July, 2022 to become principal of HJH.
The principal at Healdsburg High remains Amy Jones-Kerr, who begins her second full year at HHS. She weathered a controversy upon her hiring about her leadership as Roseland’s superintendent, a subject raised by social-media postings. An investigation was engaged by Healdsburg Unified, but it turned up no evidence of any misconduct on her part.
Students at non-public schools may return to class on another date. For instance, The Healdsburg School, TK–8, begins classes Aug. 24.
