P.L. gets interim superintendent

With the recent departure of Superintendent Dione Beilby, the Plumas Lake Elementary School District found itself in need of a new superintendent to manage the evolving district.

For now, the school district is content with the next best thing: an individual to help take the district through the middle of the school year until a permanent replacement could be found.

Superintendent Paul Carras was looking forward to his next step in life when he left the Rocklin School District, but taking on a new position was not it. Instead, Carras found his retirement from over 30 years in education over in just 10 days.

"Just two days before I was set to retire I received a call to take this interim position," Carras said in a recent interview.

The board of directors for the Plumas Lake district was in need of an individual with plenty of past experience in both the classroom and at the administrative level. More importantly, the board was hoping to find someone who had dealt with many of the same issues Plumas Lake is facing as a growing district with a newly established teachers association.

Carras certainly has the experience. After nearly a decade in the classroom at the secondary level and 15 years as a principal, Carras moved into administration and ultimately ended up at Rocklin Unified School District as its deputy superintendent before making his plans to retire. Throughout his time in education, and more specifically working in an administrative capacity, Carras has been present during several transitions of increased district growth as well as teacher association establishments.

During the selection process, Carras met with members of the community at a workshop the board of directors held at Rio Del Oro School. Carras answered questions presented by a panel of 12 people representing a cross- section of the Plumas Lake community. After the workshop, the board and Carras chatted with members of the audience, where he was greeted with smiles and handshakes.

Carras hopes that this same openness to communication will remain a key element of what he brings to the district.

"One of my main focuses will be to open up the line of communication," Carras said. "An open-door policy is critical for parents to know information is always available, and I hope I can make people feel they are being heard."

As he looks ahead to the first few months in the top position, Carras will be focusing on broadening the communication between both the administration and faculty as well as with parents and the community at large. More specifically, he hopes to start faculty and community forums to discuss key issues, such as the $20 million bond issues that will appear on the November ballot. His first of what hopes to be ongoing forum opportunities will be held on this issue on Sept. 10 to allow the public to comment on the path the board is taking — specifically with regards to the upcoming ballot proposal and what it will mean for the district and its students.

Carras has a very positive outlook for the district and was drawn in part to the position because he noted the positive attitude for change. While Carras is not unaccustomed to the growing pains that exist with a district that expands as quickly as the Plumas Lake District has — and then is beset by a sudden decline in enrollment — he does plan to start the year out on the right foot. In fact, personnel numbers for the district have begun to climb again and Carras even anticipates doing more hiring during his tenure with the district.

Ultimately, Carras hopes to bring more stability to the district.

"My hope is to resolve some of the current problems that exist by working with staff, parents and the community," Carras said. "The attitude for the start of the year is great from the teachers and I hope to continue that mindset moving forward."

Plumas Lake correspondent Michele Perrault can be reached at 483-3664 or e-mail her at mperrault@plumaslakelife.com.