Principal of Rail Ranch Elementary Steps Down

The principal of is stepping down, according to an announcement made today by the Murrieta Valley Unified School District.

Kerry Wise told his staff today that he's asked to return to the classroom as a teacher because of health concerns he is currently dealing with, said district spokesperson Karen Parris, in a news release.

Wise came to the district in 1988 as a teacher at , said Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Pat Kelley.

"Over the last 22 years he has been an excellent teacher and administrator," Kelley said.

Prior to becoming Principal at Rail Ranch in 2007, Wise was the school’s assistant principal. Before moving to Rail Ranch he was an administrator for the Adult Education Program.

“We fully support Wise’s decision to return to the classroom as he focuses on his health," Kelley said.

Replacing Wise as interim principal at Rail Ranch will be Tammy Hunter-Wethers. The swap is effective Monday, Oct. 17.

Hunter-Wethers, who came to the district in 1996, has 20 years of teaching experience. She served as assistant principal at for three years. Prior to moving to Buchanan, she served as an assistant principal at Alta Murrieta for three years.

Hunter-Wethers earned a bachelor's degree from University of California, Los Angeles, and a master's degree in educational administration from Azusa Pacific University.

“The district is fortunate to have an administrator with Hunter-Wethers' leadership skills and experience to serve as interim principal at Rail Ranch," Kelley said.

"(She) is looking forward to getting to know the Rail Ranch students, parents and staff and I know she will do her best to provide a successful learning experience for the students.”

Wise will stay at Rail Ranch through the end of October to work with Hunter-Wethers and assure a smooth leadership transition at the school, Parris said, and teacher Celeste Scallion will serve as a teacher on special assignment at Buchanan Elementary to fill in for Hunter-Wethers.

Scallion came to the district in 2004. She has taught at Buchanan and Warm Springs. She holds a bacherlor's degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a teaching credential from Chapman University, according to the news release.

There was no decision yet on where Wise would teach, according to Parris.