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Riverbanks Young Recognized As Region 7 Top Administrator
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Shown, from left, California Avenue Elementary Principal Kathy Briggs, Mesa Verde Elementary Principal Kim Ott, Riverbank Unified School District Senior Director of Human Resources Marcus Wirowek, Adelante Continuation High School Principal Rebecca Evans, Assistant Superintendent Christine Facella, Director of Student Services Karen Young, Superintendent Dr. Daryl Camp, and Riverbank High School Principal Dr. Sean Richey attended a Region 7 awards ceremony for Young earlier this month at the Lake Tahoe Resort. Photo Contributed

Administrators were recognized throughout Region 7 at a Spring Conference for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) in South Lake Tahoe earlier this month. Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) Director of Student Services and Special Education, Karen Young. was selected as the 2018 Pupil Services Administrator of the Year. Region 7 encompasses the following five counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Amador, and Calaveras with over 650 administrators among them.

The three-day “Leading Beyond Limits” conference held at the Lake Tahoe Resort included several activities, ranging from a reception dinner, awards ceremony, vendors, silent auction and keynote speakers.

California Avenue Elementary Principal Kathy Briggs, Mesa Verde Elementary Principal Kim Ott, RUSD Senior Director of Human Resources Marcus Wirowek, Adelante Continuation High School Principal Rebecca Evans, RUSD Assistant Superintendent Christine Facella, RUSD Superintendent Dr. Daryl Camp, and Riverbank High School Principal Dr. Sean Richey all attended the celebration in addition to Young.

“As one of the six members of the superintendent’s cabinet, Ms. Young has proven to a valuable member of the team who always advocates for students,” said Camp. “In her role as the director of student services and special education, Ms. Young works with a team of educators to support a positive learning environment at all school sites in the Riverbank Unified School District.”

Young served RUSD for 28 years and has been in education for over 30 years. She plans to retire at the end of this school year. Throughout her service to RUSD, she has taken on many responsibilities and in January of 2012 accepted the position of Principal for Adelante Continuation High School.

“Karen Young represents the outstanding work of so many educators in Riverbank Unified,” stated Camp. “Ms. Young is retiring this year and it is great that she was recognized by her colleagues as the Pupil Personnel Administrator of the Year. There are many exemplary professionals throughout the region and Karen stands out as one of the best.”

Camp explained that during her time as a director the district had a decline in the number of students recommended for expulsion and for those that were approved for expulsion she worked with the families.

“As a result, the District has had very few expulsion hearings over the last seven years,” added Camp. “Similarly, most school sites have experienced a decrease in suspensions over the last three years. Ms. Young works with site administrators in assessing the root causes of suspension and guides site leaders to consider other means of correction before suspending students.”

Another accolade regarding Young that Camp expressed was that she passed the review from the CDE (California Department of Education) and confirmation that the state’s expectations for special education were met.

“Recently, Karen Young has assisted with efforts to minimize the number of students who are chronically absent from school,” stated Camp. “She does this by reviewing data with site leaders and the child, welfare and attendance liaison on a regular basis. Karen’s contributions to students in the Riverbank Unified School District are immeasurable.”