LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The search is on for a new principal at Rancho High School after the previous one abruptly retired.
According to staff, Darlin Delgado announced her departure from the high school earlier this month. A letter posted to the school’s website explains why she decided to leave.
On Tuesday, students and staff packed inside of the school’s cafeteria to discuss what qualities they would like to see from their next principal.
“Principals are probably the most important factor at the school. They set the tone for everything that takes place here,” said Reuben D’Silva, a teacher at Rancho High School.
D’Silva says the school community has dealt with some challenges because of where it's loctaed.
“Rancho is a very safe place, but the area around Rancho is not. That's why it's important to encourage more opportunities for extracurricular activities on a campus that wlil keep kids at school. I would like the new principal to expand on these types of opportunities for students. ” D’Silva said.
Those challenges were highlighted in the fall semester when 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis, a student at Rancho High School, was beaten to death by his classmates less than a block away from campus.
“If you have a child that goes here, you want them to be safe. You want them to come home the same way that you sent them out the door,” said Tavorra Elliott, who attended the town hall.
In the next few weeks, the school's organizational team will meet to pinpoint the needs of the Rancho community and will narrow down three choices to fill the position.
“This school often gets a bad reputation, but the talent is here. All you need is the right sort of principal, the right staff, and the sky's the limit,” D’Silva said.
School administrators also posted a survey online for students, staff, and community members to share their opinions on what they would like to see from the next principal. As of Wednesday morning, that survey is inactive.
