Hutcherson Leaving Foothill Middle School

Linda Hutcherson, principal of F, has accepted a promotion to the position of administrator of School Support in the Mount Diablo Unified School District.

A 5-0 vote by the district’s board members on May 24 approved the appointment and signaled a changing of the guard at Foothill.

In a 2010 Q-and-A sponsored by the Mount Diablo Unified Community Advisory Committee, Hutcherson described her primary responsibilities.

“I strive every day to bring passion, enthusiasm, excellence and commitment to my work,” she said. “As the principal, it is paramount that I serve as the consummate optimist.

Hutcherson was the first in her family to attend college and to hold two masters degrees. A warrior—her own term—for special needs and at-risk students, she combined the essential qualities of a leader in pushing for instructional excellence from her staff and encouraging academic rigor from students.

“My parents were intelligent and tenacious. They were always working to make sure their children had a good life. In our home, education was revered,” she said, sharing the personal context behind her professional aspirations.

Hutcherson was unavailable for comment due to end-of-the-year commitments. A successor has yet to be named.