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BVUSD LEADERSHIP UPDATES
2025 - 2026
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Dear Families, |
As we look ahead to the 2025-26 school year, I want to share an important update about BVUSD’s new leadership structure and introduce the team who will be supporting our schools, students, staff, and families across both school sites. |
Next year, BVUSD will transition to a shared leadership model, with one principal and one assistant principal jointly overseeing both Yulupa and Strawberry Schools. Rachel Hankerson, current principal at Yulupa, will serve as principal across both sites. To support this expanded role, I’d like to introduce Casey Thornhill as BVUSD’s new assistant principal.
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Read more about BVUSD’s new leadership below. |
HONORING PRINCIPAL WILSON |
Before highlighting what’s ahead, I’d like to recognize and thank Principal Josh Wilson for his leadership and service to Strawberry Elementary since 2016. Principal Wilson brought a warm and collaborative spirit to his work, leading with kindness and compassion through some of our most challenging times, including the devastating wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m deeply grateful for his many contributions. I’ll miss his steady, upbeat, and caring presence and wish him the very best in his next leadership adventure. |
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WHY THE CHANGE? |
In developing a fiscal recovery plan to address a $200,000 budget deficit for the 2025-26 school year, we prioritized reductions in administrative costs – both out of financial necessity and in response to community feedback urging BVUSD to protect certificated and classified staff. We are proud of our fiscal recovery plan, including this leadership shift, which preserves all existing certificated and classified staffing; this is a remarkable achievement at a time many neighboring districts are facing significant staffing reductions.
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Additional Benefits
As we explore the possibilities of this new leadership model, we are increasingly excited about the meaningful opportunities it offers beyond financial benefits. For example:
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Coherence - Improved alignment across both school sites through shared policies, practices, and expectations |
Collaboration - Greater connection and sharing of ideas and experience between school teams |
Student Continuity - Smoother transitions for students moving from Yulupa to Strawberry |
Community Engagement - More consistent communication, unified messaging, and experiences for families across both schools |
Administrative Flexibility - Opportunities for specialization, allowing each leader to focus on areas of strength such as instruction, student services, or behavior supports
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★ INTRODUCING CASEY THORHNILL ★
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To support our new model, we are thrilled to introduce Assistant Principal Casey Thornhill, who rose to the top of an exceptionally competitive pool of applicants. Described by previous supervisors as an “active leader,” a “go-getter,” and a compassionate and fair supporter of students and staff, Casey joins us with 19 years of special education and administrative experience in Sonoma County schools. He brings recognized strengths in social-emotional learning, relationship building, student engagement, conflict resolution, and supporting positive school culture. |
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NEXT STEPS
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Principal Hankerson will be reaching out soon to formally introduce herself to Strawberry families and share upcoming opportunities to connect with BVUSD’s new leadership team. In the meantime, I invite you to read Assistant Principal Thornhill’s letter of introduction below. |
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we move into this new chapter. |
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| ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL THORNHILL'S LETTER OF INTRODUCTION |
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Dear Bennett Valley,
I'm thrilled to introduce myself, and I'm looking forward to contributing my experience and skills to support our students and educational environment. As a dedicated professional with over 19 years of experience in education, I'm passionate about creating a positive and inclusive learning space for all.
A bit about me: I'm a married father of two, and I'm grateful for the love and support of my family. I've also had the privilege of overcoming stage 3B Cancer, an experience that has given me a deeper appreciation for life's precious relationships. In addition to being a huge baseball fan, I’m an avid sports enthusiast overall.
Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work in various roles, including special education, administration, and supervision. My experience spans working with students with diverse needs, developing school-wide positive behavior supports, and implementing restorative practices. I'm excited to bring my expertise to Bennett Valley School District and to collaborate with our team to support our students and achieve our shared goals.
I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you and working together to make a positive impact in the lives of our students. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to connect.
Best regards,
Casey Thornhill
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