New Starr King Principal Grew Up in District

Debbie Kraus knows the well.

Kraus has been a student and educator in the district and is the new principal at in Carmichael.

"I went to , and La Sierra High School (since closed) and my parents taught in the Arden-Arcade area," said Kraus, who replaces Janice Bowdler at Starr King. "And I've been in the district as an employee since 1976...at Greer (Elementary in Sacramento), and Oakview (Community Elementary in Orangevale)... and worked in the district office last year."

Kraus has seen the district grow over the years and said she's always felt strongly about its mission.

"The district has focused on customer service and providing all types of programs for students and parents," she said. "People have told me they envy San Juan because we offer professional development (for educators)."

The Starr King campus is also home to the Ralph Richardson Center for students with special needs. The center offers an aquatics program, an adapted physical education classroom, two non-public agencies providing physical and occupational therapy and a fully staffed nursing department, according to its website.

At Starr King, Kraus said last year was the school's first with a Title I designation so teachers were able to buy new technology for their classrooms.

Like all schools in the district, Starr King will have to deal with , the first coming Friday.

"There are cuts and it's hard on everybody but we are talking it through," Krauss said. "The district is focused on the right work... on common core standards to help students be ready for the 21st Century."