New Principal to Join Hermosa Valley

Hermosa Valley School students will begin a new school year in August with a new principal in charge: Patricia Escalante.

The experienced educator and Hermosa Beach resident is to begin her post as principal July 1, school officials have agreed (see accompanying document under photo.)

The Hermosa Beach School Board and administrators welcomed Escalante to the district in a board meeting Wednesday night.

"She comes to us with a lot of information, a lot of practice, and we’re really pleased," said Superintendent Bruce Newlin at the meeting. "I’d like to welcome Pat to Hermosa Beach, however it’s not really a welcome because she’s also a resident here."

Escalante is coming to the local school district from the Beverly Hills Unified School District, where she has been serving as director of the recently disbanded Beverly Hills Adult School program. Prior, she was principal of El Rodeo School in Beverly Hills.

As Newlin, School Board President Cathy McCurdy, and others said a public "welcome" to Escalante on Wednesday, the board meeting felt more like a homecoming.

“My sons graduated from Valley," Escalante said at the meeting. "It’s an incredible honor and I want to thank all of you for the opportunity.” 

Former Hermosa Valley School Principal Tiffany Rudek  to join the Lowell Joint School District in Whittier as an assistant superintendent of instruction.

Dr. Rita Flynn has been serving as the interim principal of Hermosa Valley since Rudek's resignation. Her term will overlap with Escalante's in July.

"I’d like to thank Dr. Flynn in her role in the interim period," said Hermosa Beach School Board member Jack Burns on Wednesday. "Thank you for helping to pass the paton along… we greatly appreciate that."