MBUSD Board to Appoint New Mira Costa High School Principal

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The Manhattan Beach Unified School District will be recommending Dr. Karina Gerger as the new principal at Mira Costa High School, the district announced in a press release on Tuesday.

District Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews will bring this recommendation to the Board of Trustees at the June 2 board meeting. Dr. Gerger emerged as the top candidate following a paper screening and panel interview by teachers, classified employees, administrators, and parents, as well as interviews with the Superintendent and cabinet. Dr. Gerger will be replacing Dr. Ben Dale, who is retiring after 11 years of service with the District.

Dr. Gerger began her career in the district back in 2004 as the English Learner (EL) Coordinator. She then became a BTSA Coordinator mentoring teachers across the South Bay, as well as taught 5th grade at Pacific Elementary before moving into the role of district teacher on special assignment for 21st-century teaching and learning. She served as assistant principal at both Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School. For the last four years, she has been principal of Pennekamp Elementary School.

Dr. Gerger obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Riverside, her Master of Arts in Education at Grand Canyon University, and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from California State University, Long Beach.

“We are absolutely thrilled to recommend Dr. Gerger as the next principal of Mira Costa High School. I have worked closely with Dr. Gerger since 2010, and I am confident she is the right person for the job. Dr. Gerger has been an MBUSD employee since 2004," Dr. Matthews, said in a statement. "Her collaborative and supportive leadership style has strengthened every school community she has served. She has a lifelong love of learning and teaching, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Mira Costa High School community.”

Dr. Gerger says she is honored to return to Mira Costa. “It is an absolute honor to be selected as the next Mira Costa High School principal and to follow Dr. Ben Dale who has given his ALL to Costa for the last 11 years," she said. "Pennekamp Elementary has been my heart and soul for the last four years and I will truly miss the incredible students, staff, and community who have been a part of that journey. I look forward to being a Mira Costa Mustang again and for all the adventures ahead. Go Costa!”