On Aug. 23, the Board of Trustees of Pajaro Valley Unified School District approved new appointments, filling three administrative positions with retirees in Aptos and Watsonville schools:
Richard Determan
Richard Determan will join the district in a temporary position as the assistant principal of Aptos Junior High. He has worked for PVUSD during his retirement in a variety of administrative roles.
He taught in PVUSD and was principal at Mar Vista Elemtary. He was principal of Good Shepherd School when enrollment fell short of 90 and the Diocese of Monterey closed it in 2022.
Dominic Lis
Dominic Lis is the new assistant principal at Aptos High. He began his career in education in 2015 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a secondary science teacher.
He has taught biology, chemistry and physics in Novi, Michigan. He was an intern administrator last year at Novi High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in K-12 education from Michigan State University. He also has a Michigan teaching certificate and an administrative certificate.
Patrick Lynch
Patrick Lynch is the academic coordinator of Rio Del Mar Elementary. He started in 2012 as a paraprofessional in a special education program.
He became an elementary school teacher in 2015 and has experience teaching 7th grade. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from John F. Kennedy University and a master’s in education from CSU Monterey Bay. He also has a multiple subject credential and an administrative credential from CSUMB.
Joe Gregorio
Joe Gregorio, assistant principal at Watsonville High since 2019, will move up to interim principal. He came in 2004 to Cesar Chavez Middle School.
He has also worked at Pajaro Valley High. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Cal State Northridge.
He obtained his single-subject teaching credential in physical education and his administrative services credential from National University.
Elaine Legorreta
Watsonville High School welcomes back Elaine Legorreta as the new interim assistant principal.
She retired as the principal of Watsonville High and has come out of retirement once again to help PVUSD.
Last year she was the principal of Lakeview Middle School.
Ricky Maldonado
Ricky Maldonado will be assistant principal of EA Hall Middle School.
He joined PVUSD in 2016 and has worked as a social emotional counselor, assistant principal and academic coordinator.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree from CSU Monterey Bay, pupil personnel services credential from National University and administrative credential from Santa Clara. He also has a master’s in counseling from National University.
Diane Bury
Diane Bury will come out of retirement to fill the role of Program Specialist for Expanded Learning while the current program specialist is on leave.
Most recently she was the academic coordinator for Mintie White Elementary.