What the community wants for P-Rob’s successor — someone like P-Rob

As principal Paul Robinson strides down the hall on campus, he reciprocates waves and greetings from students, many of whom fondly refer to him by his nickname of “P-Rob.” Robinson, who announced in late January that he will be retiring at the end of this school year, holds a high level of popularity and respect from students and staff that will be hard for a new principal to match.

Staff members like English teacher Cathy Head say Robinson’s kindness and care have been among his biggest contributions to the school.

“He genuinely loves Saratoga High. When someone is in a crisis, his heart is most obvious,” Head said. “I have never hesitated to go to him when I was in need, and his first and last and in-between response has always been, ‘What can I do to help?’”

Additionally, Robinson, 62, has tried to improve the school by checking in with teachers and students about what they need to be successful.

“He’s probably the best principal I have ever had in terms of supporting teachers,” English teacher Erick Rector said. “He’s the first to say, ‘I want you to go [to the conference]’ and ‘I’ll get you a sub’ and whatever you need to make your classroom better.”

Robinson’s driving motivation has been to help students and staff maintain a happy and healthy life balance. During his time as principal here beginning in 2012, he said his goal was for students to “be happy and feel good about where they are in their life because life is challenging,” and the school has introduced numerous student wellness efforts, including the CASSY therapeutic support service and the annual Speak Up for Change event.

The ASB president, senior Roshan Verma, said that Robinson, whom Verma described as a “ball is in your court” person, has been continually supportive of the Leadership class when they need help while still allowing students to take actions on their own.

“If he has concerns, he’ll be very vocal about it,” Verma said. “He tries to help us work through an idea so that we know for sure everything that’s going to be involved with it before we dive in.”

Verma thinks that Robinson’s receptive quality will be an important trait in a new principal because student leaders work so closely with the administration to conduct events.

Many of Robinson’s most memorable experiences come from attending events at SHS such as sports games, music and theater performances and club functions.

Robinson said he will remember big events like the 2018 Homecoming football game at Levi’s stadium and the Rose Parade the band attended in 2012, but will miss most the everyday moments like visiting classrooms and greeting students and staff in the hall.

“It doesn’t get any better than that and it warms my heart,” Robinson said. “I’m probably more nostalgic about it now, knowing that it’s going to end and I can see where the finish line is.”

In retirement, Robinson wants to spend more time with his three grandchildren in Campbell, but he said he still plans on being present on campus, whether by mentoring new teachers or volunteering to direct traffic in the mornings.

As Robinson finishes his time leading the school, the district is looking for someone to fill the position. Associate superintendent Carrie Bosco and director of human resources Annette Grasty received input from community members on March 7 in the staff lounge and through surveys. Interviewing of final candidates will be take place on April 2. A new principal could be announced as early as mid to late April.

Applications for the position were being taken until March 20 for a job with a starting salary that ranges from $174,956 to $195,338, depending on experience, according to the job listing. The new principal will begin working July 1.

In looking for a successor, students and staff highlighted that they would like to see someone who can support the campus in the way Robinson has.

For instance, teacher Mike Davey recalls Robinson encouraging him after the 2017 girls’ basketball playoff loss, a game that Davey felt was “taken away” from the girls he was coaching at the time because of poor officiating.

“Being supportive is among the top three traits for administrators,” Davey said. “That's undervalued and people that are often the boss don’t usually display that trait.”

Davey, who has taught here for 26 years and worked with many administrators in that time, also cautioned against a new principal trying to dictate change.

“Some principals have an agenda, which can be good, but we also want a balance between embracing innovation and pushing it,” Davey said.

Davey, who played a key role in the development of the Media Arts Program, said that Robinson encouraged the novel idea behind the program, knowing that teachers had varied skill sets and were interested in transforming the traditional curriculum.

Davey has faith that the search will result in a principal who will be a good fit for the highly involved parent and student atmosphere at SHS. But the school’s next leader will follow in the large footsteps of one of the most impactful and popular principals in the school’s history.