Malibu High School Principal Jerry Block announced plans to leave his post at the end of the school year for a job at a middle school in Simi Valley. Block has served as principal of Malibu High for two years.
His departure comes on the heels of an extremely controversial year for Malibu High, during with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District faced heavy nationwide scrutiny over potential environmental health issues at the Malibu High and Middle School campuses.
In his announcement sent to parents last week, Block alluded to some “challenges” during his tenure, but took on an positive tone while highlighting the school’s accomplishments under his leadership.Â
“With a talented faculty and excellent students, our efforts have been recognized by again being nominated a ‘Gold Medal’ school by US News and World report,” he wrote.Â
He cited other successes, including the school’s academic performance scores increasing by 12 points, the addition of 40 new iMacs and 70 laptops, new science classes being offered and MHS graduation taking place outside on the school’s athletic field.Â
Block was hired in 2012 to replace outgoing Principal Mark Kelly, who took a job as director of student services for SMMUSD. Block plans on working at MHS through the end of June and is leaving to work at Hillside Middle School in Simi Valley.
“This is a school that is being converted into a science, technology and arts magnet for next year. As principal of that school, I will have the opportunity to help build this new program from the ground up,” he wrote. “While I am very excited about this exciting endeavor, I will miss the very special place that Malibu High School is.”Â