Norwalk-La Mirada : Principals Named for 6 New Middle Schools

School board members this week introduced the principals who will administer six new middle schools next fall.

Two of them already work in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District. Sonny Morper, principal of Nuffer Elementary, will head Corvallis Middle School. Phyllis Pringle, principal at Moffitt Elementary, will be in charge of Hargitt Middle School.

The other new principals and their schools are: Larry Lodwick, Benton Middle School; Beverly Eien-Johnson, Hutchinson Middle School; Edna Tobias, Lampton Middle School, and Elaine Medina, Waite Middle School.

The principals were selected by an advisory team for each school that includes a student, a parent, a school secretary, a custodian and teachers. To prepare for their task, team members underwent two days of training on how to select a principal. Then the teams interviewed 31 applicants. The teams selected two finalists for each school. Supt. Robert Aguilar then recommended one choice to the school board, which ratified the decision.

The six teams will also help the new principals choose teachers and other personnel, said Ginger Shattuck, assistant superintendent of educational programs.

The six middle schools, which will cost about $5 million to open, will serve students in grades six, seven and eight. At present, students remain in elementary school through seventh grade and then move to a district high school.