The Search Goes On

Interim Leaders Carry On At Samohi While Board Seeks New Principal 

Clara Sturak
Associate Editor

   In a recent press release characterized as an "update on the search for a new principal at Santa Monica High School," the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District recaps its yearlong effort: "Last spring, the District conducted a nationwide search twice and no candidate met District and school standards. This fall, the District hired a consulting firm to search for an outstanding candidate for principal at Santa Monica High School. Hazard Young & Attea & Associates conducted a national search, and although an outstanding out-of-state candidate was recruited, the candidate has since withdrawn from the process."
   Much-loved Samohi principal Sylvia Rousseau announced in January of 2000 that she would retire from her position at the end of the school year. At the time, she agreed to stay on until a replacement was found. However, after serving patiently for another six months, she left to take a position at UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Sciences. More recently, Rousseau was named assistant superintendent of secondary education and school support services for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
   Since last June, Samohi has been run by interim co-principals Mark Kelly and Kirsten Hibbert.
"One of the most difficult positions to recruit for is the principal of a large urban high school," explains SMMUSD Superintendent Neil Schmidt. He says one of the obstacles faced by recruiters is that experienced "people who have done [the job] for awhile often go on to higher administrative positions." 
   Although Schmidt acknowledges that the search has been a long one, he emphasizes that Samohi's new principal must be "the right person with the right fit" and that "to ensure you get the right person, you have to be patient."
   Of the candidate who withdrew Schmidt says, "he came to the conclusion that he had done this (been a high school principal) a couple of times before, and if he were to move it would have be for a higher [administrative] position." 
   The District's latest statement announces that after almost a year of outside searches, "recognizing that the hiring of a new high school principal is...important and crucial," the District has decided to "conduct an internal assessment and inquiry of our secondary administrators to determine if there are qualified in-house candidates who can address the District's long-term goals for Samohi." Meaning they will temporarily abandon their national search, and look to possible inside candidates.
   During that process, Samohi co-principals Kelly and Hibbert will continues manning the post. "They've done a terrific job this year," offers Schmidt.
   Kelly and Hibbert have not let the lengthy search for their permanent replacement concern them. Says Kelly, "we were asked to take on the job as co-principals to aid in the transition from Sylvia Rousseau's retirement into the new school year...There was a lot of anxiety among faculty, staff and parents, since Sylvia was such a popular leader. We were sensitive to that. We recognize her accomplishments but understand that we have to move on." He continues, "I think we've achieved our goal, which was to have a smooth transition, and to keep the school confident that we would be moving forward."
   Hibbert adds that the two have done more than just mind the store for the last eight months. "We've initiated new tardy and detention policies, and tightened up the registration and opening of school process, which we've had really good feedback from. We have been implementing the Digital High School grant and the Focus on Learning program, and are working with the English Department on the honors and AP programs."
   Although Kelly reiterates that he and Hibbert "are here to facilitate the transition process," the two have applied together for the permanent position (as co-principals) now that the process has gone internal. There is a history of co-principals leading large comprehensive high schools, Hibbert says, and she and Kelly not only feel they now have the experience to lead effectively, they relish the thought of doing so as a team. "We have a very good relationship," she says, "we've chosen to share both the curriculum piece and the business piece of the job, and that has worked well for us." 
   "I concur," says Kelly, adding "and we have a good time."
   Kelly and Hibbert will begin the interview process this Friday, when they meet with the District's Governance Committee.
   Meanwhile, the school year continues. "We recognize that [the search] process is uncertain," Kelly says, "that's not our concern. Our concern is to make sure that teaching and learning are happening every day. That's where our energy is focused."