Two new principals are joining the district July 1, at John Adams Middle School and Will Rogers Learning Community. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education appointed both positions at a regular meeting Thursday April 22, after highlighting extensive administrative and teaching experiences.
Superintendant Tim Cuneo confidently announced Eva Marie Mayoral for JAMS and Marty Powers for Will Rogers. Only Mayoral could be present at the meeting, since Powers is hired out of the district. Cuneo introduced Mayoral as “bringing a wealth of experience to the community.”
“I am thrilled and honored to accept this position,” Mayoral said. “As a person of science, I am well aware that nothing we do stands alone, everything we do will be built upon the blood, and sweat, and tears and efforts of the people that came before us.”
Mayoral, who started teaching in 1989, began teaching science at Santa Monica High School in 1995 and reached a department chair position within three years. Having watched over Samohi students as an assistant principal since 2004, she is no stranger to the capabilities of children in this district. She commended JAMS students as assets to the community and for what each will “bring to the world.”
Dr. Powers boasts over 19 years administrative experience. He is presently a principal in Illinois and worked at Elk Grove Unified School District in California for five years prior. With a background of math and science, Powers started his career as an intermediate principal and teacher in Wisconsin in 1990.
“He will be another perfect match for Will Rogers to take them to the next level,” Cuneo said. “This is really a perfect team.”
JAMS Principal Martha Shaw is retiring after this year and Will Rogers Co-Principals Jerry Harris and Pat Cairns left retirement to help for only this year. Both Harris and Cairns will go back to enjoying their retirement.
Measure BB Modifications
Plans for Measure BB projects are well underway with special workshops held this week to update the Board and hear public comments. Measure BB projects will repair aging schools within the district, update sustainability, and upgrade technology facilities.
The District’s Measure BB Advisory Committee and the Measure BB Citizens Bond Oversight Committee met jointly on April 19, to further preview and comment before the presentation. The workshops on Monday, April 26 at district headquarters and Tuesday, April 27 in Malibu incorporated the committee comments. The Board reviewed the management of the program in governance and communications, budget, schedule, and overall program management.
At Thursday’s meeting the Board approved project-funding amendments for items such as geotechnical field investigation before a parking lot project, building layout improvements, and fire alarm replacements. Jan Maez, SMMUSD Chief Financial Officer, explained that contracts are a continuation of existing proposals and the Board must approve any additional funding for such contracts.
KATHERINE PEACH
Mirror Staff Writerkatherine@smmirror.com
