Learn About the Newest Hayfork Elementary School Principal

Claude Belongia is the Hayfork Elementary School’s new principal, and said he has plans to “stick around for a while.” Belongia has grown up in Hayfork and lived here just about all his life, other than a few months in Redding. Living here his whole life has given him the opportunity to really know the community and its members.

Belongia began knowing the importance of the small community at a young age after attending all the Rotary meetings with his father. Belongia first began his journey in the education field as a teacher in 1999, but 2022 is his first year as an administrator. He got his admin credential in 2006-2007.

Belongia has always had connections in Hayfork even during his time teaching in Douglas City. “I always wanted to come back to Hayfork Elementary School, so I always thought I would come full circle,” he stated. At Douglas City Elementary he taught all subjects to 8th grade students, with history as his favorite.

Belongia has always had his family in mind and that became his main motivation to come back. His whole family lives here: his children and grandchildren. His family also owns the Hayfork Hotel and has for multiple generations. Hayfork is where he, his brothers, and sisters graduated high school. Not only does he have his family here and his early memories, but he also has the times when he was a coach. He coached basketball, football, and baseball, mostly Little League. He coached basketball here for quite a while, and in Douglas City for a long period of time.

Lastly, Belongia’s plans to stick around involve, “doing different things with the curriculum, but ultimately doing what's best for the kids,” he said. As principal he has taken into consideration the drops in the students' testing scores, specifically English. Belongia voiced that he has a 5-6 year plan and in that plan he includes working on the drop in the language arts performances. He knows he has no control over the numbers; however, that's his biggest concern right now.

Belongia also voiced some advice he takes into consideration with Hayfork having always been his home. “In Hayfork you really get a sense of community,” Belongia stated. “Nobody really hides anything. You can discover your strengths and weaknesses and learn about how to maintain composure in difficult situations or around other members of the community who you don’t get along well with. Lastly, do the right thing. Even if you don’t know what to do, if you feel like it’s the right thing in your heart then you should do it. There’s nothing wrong with feeling right.”