Patricia Mendoza is the new Coordinator of English Language Learner services at Ripon Unified.

She’s currently employed at the Livingston Union School District in the Dual Language Immersion program, which is designed to develop fluency and literacy while helping achieve proficiency in all academic subjects for students from the two-language household.

Mendoza, who lives in Turlock, has been at that position for seven years.

“I will start (at Ripon Unified) once I’m released from my contract,” she said at last Monday’s RUSD meeting.

The job is at the district office, where she will be working with similar-type students and their families at the elementary schools and the high school.

The latter was a concern for Rod Wright, who is the RUDTA union representative for Ripon High. He congratulated the hiring of Mendoza but, at the same time, was disappointed that the panel used for the hiring failed to include a teacher from the high school.

Keith Rangel, vice principal at RHS, was the lone high school representative used in the hiring process – the others were from the elementary school sites – according to Superintendent Bill Draa.

Wright stressed the importance of involving a certificated person from the high school. “It’s the teacher that has to work directly with (Mendoza),” he said.

He expressed that same point to the board about four months ago.

Meanwhile, Mendoza, who is bilingual, will be counted on to provide a variety of services based on district needs for English Learner students and their families.

“I’m looking forward to working with the teachers, especially at the high school,” she said.

Mendoza’s hiring was a unanimous 5-0 vote by the board.