The principal of La Cumbre Junior High School in Santa Barbara has passed away.
The Santa Barbara Unified School District announced Thursday it had learned of the sudden death of Jo Ann Caines.
"Those who worked with her described her as a courageous leader who was a tireless advocate for justice and education of all students," the district’s statement read. "She set a high standard for educational leadership and was recognized as an icon of the westside."
Caines had been with the school district in some form since 1987.
