District Names Desiree Torres Assistant Principal
Torres, a former West Ranch High School biology teacher, will take the assistant principal post at the Santa Clarita school in January.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in People
The William S. Hart Union High School District governing board appointed Desiree Torres as assistant principal at West Ranch High School, the district announced in a news release. Torres will begin her new role in January 2027.
Why it matters
The appointment places a longtime classroom educator into an administrative role at a Santa Clarita high school. It reflects the district's decision to fill school leadership from within its existing teaching staff.
Torres brings 22 years of secondary education experience to the position, drawn from teaching in Los Angeles Unified, St. Lucie School District in Florida, Golden Valley High School and West Ranch High School. The release does not disclose her salary or the number of applicants considered for the role.
The players
William S. Hart Union High School District
A public school district serving communities in the Santa Clarita Valley north of Los Angeles, which oversees West Ranch High School.
West Ranch High School
A public high school in Valencia within the William S. Hart Union High School District, where Torres previously taught biology.
The details
Torres previously taught biology at West Ranch High School and served as a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports team member, a Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation focus group leader and a summer school administrative intern. She holds a bachelor of science in biology and a master of arts in educational administration, both from California State University, Northridge.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: The district governing board appoints Torres as assistant principal.
January 2027: Torres begins her role at West Ranch High School.
People Moves
Torres's background on the PBIS team connects her appointment to the behavior-support framework many California districts use to structure student discipline and campus climate. Her move from classroom teacher to assistant principal follows a common path of promoting experienced staff into school administration.
Families at West Ranch High School will have a new administrator overseeing campus operations beginning in January. Students and parents may see changes in how school leadership handles day-to-day discipline and programs as Torres takes on the role.
The takeaway
Experienced classroom teachers moving into administration can bring hands-on knowledge of student behavior and campus routines to school leadership roles. For Santa Clarita families, the change signals continuity, since Torres is already familiar with the school community.
Further reading
Find more local school leadership changes in the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
