Gary Galvan resigns from Willow
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Garry Galvan, principal at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills, announced last Friday he will resign from his post and the Las Virgenes Unified School District at the end of the school year.

Galvan has been principal at the school for four years. Although he wouldn't reveal specific details why he was resigning, Galvan indicated he was dissatisfied with the layers of bureaucracy at the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

"I think (Galvan) felt some unwarranted pressure from the district office," said Sandra Pope, a fifth-grade teacher at Willow and co-president of the Las Virgenes Educators Association. "I do believe that the pressures of being micromanaged by a person not a part of this campus made day-to-day functioning more challenging."

Students perform well on tests, discipline problems are low and staff morale is high, Pope said. "There doesn't appear to be anything dysfunctional about the way in which Willow operates under his guidance and management."

According to Galvan, "You know when it's time to leave. . . . I personally felt like I've given my heart and soul in my position, and set the highest expectations for everyone, including myself. I want to go to a place where I'm really trusted and valued."

Several parents said that Galvan knows every student's name and is responsible for creating a true "community" at the school.

Stacey Lux, a single parent of five, said Galvan always went "above and beyond the call of duty" for students, teachers and parents. She said when her son had a skateboarding accident, which resulted in a compound fracture, Galvan accompanied her at the hospital. He even went so far as to arrange care for her two younger children at their home, she said.

Assistant Superintendent Dan Stepenosky said he was grateful that Galvan has given the district a lengthy period to find a replacement.

"It's an important job to get right,"Stepenosky said.