Gennifer Caven named as Interim Principal at El Verano Elementary
This story has been updated with a statement from Maite Iturri.
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District has appointed Gennifer Caven as Interim Principal at El Verano Elementary School, a vacancy created earlier this month with the surprise resignation of Maite Iturri.
Iturri has taken a position with the Petaluma School District.
In response to the Sun’s initial, inaccurate statement about the cause of her sudden departure, she said, “Although I was disappointed to not receive an interview for superintendent, it is not the reason I chose to leave SVUSD after 25 years of service.”
Dr. Adrian Palazuelos was named the superintendent in May
Responding to the resulting public concern over Iturri’s departure, Palazuelos stated in a letter on August 11 that once his office learned of Iturri’s interest in district-level position, it “worked diligently to identify an opportunity” for her at SVUSD. It’s unclear if an actual job offer was made; regardless, she resigned effective at month’s end.
The job now belongs to Caven. She has been at the school for 16 years. Currently she serves as Teacher on Special Assignment, where she directs intervention programs and schedules, supports student enrichment, and informs teacher instruction and planning.
“I am honored and thrilled at the opportunity to serve the El Verano Community in this new capacity,” she said. “El Verano has been my home for so long. I look forward to supporting the great work and staff that are in place here.”
Her El Verano resume includes stints as a teacher of grades 3 and 5, and English Learner Manager. Prior to her tenure at El Verano, Caven taught 6th and 7th grade at Altimira Middle School.
Palazuelos said her “breadth of experience and length of tenure at El Verano and within SVUSD will provide El Verano consistency during these challenging times as interim principal for the 2021-22 school year.”
Caven holds an Administrative Services Certificate of Eligibility, the credential necessary to hold an administrative position at a school site in California as well as her Masters in Educational Administration.
“We are honored to have her join the administrative team in her new role,” said Palazuelos.
