Redwood High Principal Barnaby Payne Departs, Leaving a Legacy and Questions in Larkspur
Barnaby Payne, principal of Redwood High School in Larkspur, just resigned after four years at the helm. He’s heading to a new job managing continuation programs in the San Mateo Union High School District.
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Payne says he’s leaving for professional growth. Still, his exit lands during a stretch of public scrutiny at Redwood, with concerns swirling around the student newspaper, the Bark.
People across the Tamalpais Union High School District have started reacting. There’s already talk about who’ll step in as interim leader at Redwood High.
A New Chapter for a Beloved Larkspur Leader
After four years of community engagement and plenty of changes, Barnaby Payne announced he’s stepping down as principal of Redwood High School. He’s taking on a role overseeing continuation programs with the San Mateo Union High School District.
Payne admitted he feels “deeply mixed” about leaving. He’s grateful for his time at Redwood and excited for what’s next. He gave a shoutout to Redwood’s staff, saying he appreciated their dedication. Payne also thanked the Tamalpais Union High School District administration for always having his back.
Superintendent Courtney Goode from Tam Union didn’t hold back, calling Payne’s impact unforgettable. She pointed to his compassion, humility, and the way he genuinely rooted for everyone’s growth and success.
Tam Union board president Cynthia Roenisch and parent Laurie Dubin chimed in too. Both praised Payne’s steady energy. They seem pretty optimistic that the district will find someone just as capable to lead Redwood’s halls.
Navigating the Future: Interim Leadership and Continued Searches
The announcement of Payne’s departure, while met with well wishes, also arrives on the heels of a notable period of discussion and concern within the Tamalpais Union High School District. Specifically, the recent controversy surrounding alleged administrative interference with the student newspaper, the Bark, has been a subject of considerable public discourse throughout Marin County.
This situation involved the unexpected leave of the newspaper’s adviser. Hundreds of residents and ten English teachers sent in letters, and national press advocacy groups jumped in to urge the district to protect student journalists‘ independence.
When asked if his resignation had anything to do with the controversy, Barnaby Payne didn’t really answer. That silence leaves a lot of people in Larkspur and around Marin wondering what’s actually going on.
The main hiring season for educational administrators has already wrapped up. Because of this, Superintendent Goode plans to bring in an interim principal to steer Redwood High School at the start of the 2026–27 academic year.
This interim principal will keep things steady while the district looks for a permanent leader. According to a district memo, they’ll kick off a thorough search for a new principal during the fall semester.
That timeline gives them time to really consider candidates and, hopefully, find someone who fits Redwood and the Larkspur community. People in Tiburon, Mill Valley, and Sausalito—all with strong ties to Redwood—will definitely be watching this process closely.
Here is the source article for this story: Redwood High School principal to depart
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