Santa Ynez Valley High School principal speaks out since resignation announcement
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. - Santa Ynez Union Valley High School principal is speaking out for the first time in person since announcing his plans to resign.
Until now, principal Michael Niehoff has responded in the form of statements.
Niehoff announced in April that he will be resigning at the end of the school year.
Students and teachers at the high school were shocked by the news.
"It’s devastating," said teacher Greg Wolf.
"I was very very upset," said student Aleena Madrid.
"Super saddened by it," said student Ada Degollado.
For the first time since the announcement, Niehoff shares his thoughts in a one-on-one interview.
“It’s been a roller coaster year to say the least … so I definitely want to describe it as … I had a fantastic first semester ... and a very turbulent second semester," said Niehoff.
During the first semester, Niehoff said he enjoyed getting to know the students, teachers and everyone else at the high school.
"A lot of enthusiasm … student population … really excited about the teachers and the things we were talking about … a lot of focus on learning," said Niehoff.
But in the second semester, Niehoff says his experience as principal took a turn.
“You know … a lot of things but you know there was definitely some situations ... things involving student discipline … some things involving athletics," said Niehoff.
Before Niehoff announced his plan to resign, dozens of students walked out of school
in protest of the administration.
Students said they were upset because the school allowed students to temporarily paint speed bumps in rainbow colors for an anti-hate campaign.
The school then painted over the speed bumps before the campaign was over.
But Niehoff said that wasn’t the real reason why he plans to resign.
“That was definitely not the first I would say … the major thing that … for me that was sort of the last … that was sort of like the icing on the cake to be honest with you," said Niehoff.
Greg Wolf teaches social studies at the high school.
He recognized Niehoff’s circumstances before, during and after the rainbow speed bump incident.
“It was the straw that broke the camels back I think … because I witnessed since January … Mr. Niehoff was sort of pulled away from the amount of time he was spending with the students … and was more and more drawn into his office just dealing with drama. And that’s not what he came here to do," said Wolf.
Niehoff said he hopes to continue challenging the community to come together.
"This is one of the best principals we’ve had in recent memory. So it’s a huge blow to the school. The students feel the same way," said Wolf.
"You know we were able to do so much the one year he was here … he gave us a lot of creative freedom when it came to putting together events for school," said Degollado.
"He came into school and was very kind and open and willing to help everyone," said Madrid.
While many students, teachers and staff wish Niehoff would remain as principal, the passionate educator is already looking ahead.
"At this point, I made that decision … and quite honestly … even since then it has been reaffirmed by some of the things I still see happening," said Niehoff.
Niehoff said he’s already been offered a job in the education field here on the Central Coast.
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