The retirement of one William S. Hart Union School District’s junior high school principals has led to a chain of administrative changes at several sites within the district, all taking effect the first week of 2014.

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Principal Pete Fries is retiring this week from his post at La Mesa Junior High School after 12 years with the district. Replacing Fries is Michele Krantz, who is the current director of professional development and special programs at the district.

Filling her position will be Academy of the Canyons principal Jill Shenberger, who will be replaced at Academy of the Canyons by Sequoia Charter School principal Dr. Pete Getz. Brandi Davis, the current special education program specialist, has been promoted to fill the open principal position at Sequoia.

Pete Fries

Pete Fries is retiring after 12 years with the Hart School District, including his appointment at La Mesa. Previously, he had worked in a teacher, counselor, dean and assistant principal positions in the Los Angeles Unified School District from 1976 to 2002.

Fries served as the driving force behind the creation of La Mesa’s anti-bullying program. He has also played a major role in developing a culturally diverse campus at La Mesa and was the recipient of the Valuing Cultural Diversity award in 2011.

“We do what’s best for the kids,” Fries said. “We create a climate of safety and success which enables all students to thrive and succeed.”

Michele Krantz

Michele Krantz, current Hart District director of professional development and student programs, will take the helm as principal at La Mesa Junior High.

Before her current position, Krantz served as principal of Rancho Pico Junior High School.

“I am so excited to return to the role of principal and the opportunity to again work directly with students, teachers and families at La Mesa Junior High School,” Krantz said. “The most successful children are a result of a solid partnership among the school, the home and the community.”

Jill Shenberger

Shenberger is moving into the position of director of professional development and special programs, having served as principal of Academy of the Canyons and Learning Post since 2003.

Except for three years served as an assistant principal at Calabasas High School, Shenberger has served in the Hart School District since 1980.

Under her leadership, enrollment and test scores rose at both AOC and Learning Post.

“I am very proud and excited to join the Hart District administrative team as director of professional development and special programs,” Shenberger said. “I have been very fortunate to have spent 10 wonderful years with the staff, students and parents at AOC and Learning Post.”

Pete Getz, Ed.D

Pete Getz will be transferring from his position as principal at Sequoia Charter School to be the principal at AOC and Learning Post.

Getz began teaching at Canyon High School in 1998 before leaving to work in the Antelope Valley Union High School District. Getz returned as an assistant principal at Canyon High for three years until 2010 when he became principal of Sequoia Charter School. In 2011, Getz was the founding principal for Hart@Home, for which he continues to serve as principal.

“I am honored at having the opportunity to work with the AOC and Learning Post teams. I look forward to working with the students at both sites this spring,” Getz said. “My time at Sequoia has been extremely rewarding.

Brandi Davis

Brandi Davis has been promoted to principal of Sequoia Charter School. Davis has worked in the Hart District since 2007, where she has served as a school psychologist at Golden Valley High School and currently serves the district as a program specialist. Before coming to the.

Hart District, Davis worked as a school psychologist as well as a marriage and family therapist and behavior interventionist.

“I am incredibly honored to have been afforded the opportunity to serve the community and students in the Hart District as the new principal for Sequoia Charter School,” Davis said.

To learn more about the William S. Hart Union High School District, click here. 

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