2 Interim Principals To Take Over At Beverly Hills High

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Beverly Hills High School is getting creative for the 2022-2023 school year after former Principal Mark Mead moved into a new district-wide role.

The high school will have two co-interim principals for the upcoming year: Assistant Principal of Student Services Drew Stewart and Assistant Principal of Instruction Kim Decatrel, the district announced on Tuesday.

The district did not pick any of the final candidates after a "rigorous" search for Mead's replacement, Superintendent Michael Bregy said in an email to the district community.

"At the end of a rigorous search, the candidates who moved through to the final round of interviews had many, many strengths but ultimately we have not yet found the person for this moment. My continuous commitment to you is to select a person who will build on the culture of trust, respect, and excellence at BHHS," Bregy said.

Mark Mead was recently promoted to Director of School Safety, a key role in the district's new school security structure. The announcement of his promotion late in the school year made the search for a new principal difficult, Bregy said.

The district was primarily interested in preserving continuity for students amid a time of significant change, Bregy said. That being said, the search for a new permanent principal continues and the district will promote the position nationally in December, he said.

"I have listened to so many of you share a similar story when it comes to the attributes you are looking for in the next leader of BHHS. First and foremost, you are looking for someone who can heal what was damaged by the pandemic. You are looking for someone who will reconnect staff with students and students with one another, someone who can reinvigorate school spirit, and someone who is relentlessly dedicated to educational excellence," Bregy said.

Stewart and Decatrel are slated to co-lead the high school for one year. Phil Chang will remain in his Assistant Principal of Operations role and Horace Mann Assistant Principal Samantha Jung will serve as a second Interim Assistant Principal for the 2022-2023 school year, Bregy said.

“We are eager to work together to support the well-established BHHS student, staff, and community culture of excellence. Having worked with Mrs. Jung for three years we are thrilled to be able to work with someone who knows our BHUSD community from an administrator’s perspective with secondary teaching experience. Together, we believe in our school’s ability to thrive and push the boundaries of academic distinction while making each day, a day well lived."