Oak Cliff native Claudia Vega has stepped down as principal of Sunset High School, but another educator with deep ties to our neighborhood is taking the helm.

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Vega, a Sunset alumna, served five years as principal of the 96-year-old school, which is also the alma mater of Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa.

After almost 20 years as a DISD educator, Vega says she wanted to focus more on her family life while still pursuing a passion for childhood literacy and education.

To that end, she’s planning to open a family business, a bookstore in Oak Cliff focused on literacy in the family, “developing a love of reading in the home,” she says.

Vega lives in Kidd Springs, and she and her husband have a blended family of six kids. Three are still school age, including a son who attends Sunset.

“There’s such a need to focus on literacy,” she says. “I’m still in the community, but this is an opportunity to lead in a different way.”

Sunset made strides toward dual credit and college access during Vega’s tenure. Sunset students can now enroll in dual credit courses through the University of Texas. The school also offers a P-TECH college pathway in teaching and public health. The newest option is a criminal justice academy offered in partnership with the Dallas Police Department.

The campus grades a B in Texas’ A-F school accountability ratings.

“Sunset is in a good place,” she says. “It’s going to be a strong transition.”

Jesus F. Martinez, most recently principal of DISD’s Seagoville Middle School, is Sunset’s new principal.

Martinez is also from Oak Cliff and attended DISD schools. He didn’t immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

A stint at Arlington ISD’s alternative education school was among his earliest posts. He’s also worked at Uplift Peak Prep, and his work as an administrator began in Irving ISD, according to this bio from the U.S. Department of Education.

Martinez completed a doctorate degree last year.