Thanks to the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Sonny H. Da Marto and approval of the Board of Trustees, Turlock Junior High School students can expect to see Robert Ruiz as their new principal for the upcoming school year.

Ruiz, who was last employed as the associate principal at Atwater High School, went through an interview process, employment screening, and background check before Da Marto and the Board officially endorsed him at their meeting on Thursday.

“Ruiz is an outstanding candidate,” Da Marto said. “He has a lot of middle school experience.”

Ruiz has both experience as principal and associate principal with Merced Union High School District and Dos Palos Oro Loma Unified School District. He is Bilingual Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development certified and is currently working towards earning his masters degree in School Administration at California State University, Stanislaus.

Dave Kline, TJHS’s former principal for five years, accepted a new position as Director of Human Resources with Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District in June. When it came to offering any advice to Ruiz, Kline only had kind words.

“Turlock Junior High is an outstanding school with the best teachers and students. I loved being the principal there and I am really going to miss it,” Kline said. “Ruiz will be walking to into a really wonderful school.”

Ruiz could not be reached for comment regarding his new position.