New Los Gatos High principal to prioritize connecting with students

Dave Poetzinger, the incoming principal at Los Gatos High School, wants to stick around for the long haul.

The Chicago native arrived at Los Gatos High at the start of this academic year as assistant principal, after years spent as assistant principal, English teacher and football coach at San Lorenzo Valley High School. But Poetzinger has roots in a variety of different disciplines, ranging from his stint as a sports reporter for the Pasadena Star-News right out of college to his time studying English and theater at Occidental College.

He hopes his eclectic background will help him connect to students when he begins his tenure as principal July 1, replacing Kevin Buchanan in the top spot.

“I want to be there to help support their goals and dreams,” Poetzinger said. “There are people who are in (school) orchestra here, but they’re sitting on the first chair on the San Jose Youth Orchestra. I’m here to support that type of pursuit and that balance in their lives.”

Buchanan, who has been at the school since 2021 and is retiring to his hometown of Cheshire, England, said he’s confident in Poetzinger’s abilities to lead the school into the future.

“He has made a very positive impact already at LGHS, and we are fortunate to be able to work together closely to ensure a smooth transition into the new school year,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan replaced Kristi Grasty who served as principal for five years. Poetzinger envisions a longer tenure than either of his predecessors, saying he has admired the sense of community and supportiveness he’s witnessed at the school since his first interview for assistant principal.

“I don’t foresee doing anything else in my career other than being here,” Poetzinger said.

Poetzinger will hit the ground running as principal this summer, diving into budgetary matters and preparations for the upcoming school year. The work has unofficially already begun, he said, as Buchanan has been advising him on what he’ll need to know going into the position.

“I’m spending the next couple of months with Kevin Buchanan, who’s been nothing but supportive the whole way through. He’s been really a rock in helping out to understand and learn,” Poetzinger said.

Poetzinger will continue implementation of the action plan that came as a result of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ accreditation process that Buchanan oversaw in 2022, which includes efforts to help already disadvantaged students who faced further disadvantages during the pandemic. Poetzinger said some of that work has already begun as part of the school’s professional development efforts.

“I want to make sure that every single kid here is safe, is learning every day [and] has an equitable shot at their education every day,” he said.