It’s official: No Malibu High School principal has overseen a class from ninth grade to graduation since 2012.
In an unexpected announcement, Malibu High School Principal Dr. Cheli Nye said she would be stepping down from her position at the conclusion of the 2018-19 school year in June. The news was first shared with families in an email on Friday, March 1.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to tell you that this will be my last year at Malibu High. I have decided to embark on a new journey, but until then I am committed to MHS and a strong finish for this year to ensure a solid and smooth transition to new leadership,” Nye wrote in the email.
The reason for her stepping down was still unclear.
Now in her third year with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, she was the first full-time female principal to lead the school. The end of her tenure marks another chapter in the high turnover rate of MHS principals.
Mark Kelly had been the longest serving principal in years, from 2004 to 2012. He was followed by Jerry Block (2012-14), interim principal Dave Jackson (2014-15), Brandon Gallagher (2015-16) and interim principal Patricia Cairns (about two months in 2016). Nye took over from Cairns at the end of September 2016.
In an email to The Malibu Times, SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati said, “We are sorry to see Dr. Nye go and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
According to district spokesperson Gail Pinsker, SMMUSD will be contact parents and staff regarding Nye’s replacement.