Fal Asrani, the principal of Corona del Mar High School, has resigned to take a position as an assistant superintendent of instruction with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
“This is a great opportunity for her,” said Laura Boss, a Newport Mesa Unified District spokeswoman.”She has expressed for sometime now a desire to further her educational administrative career. She has just defended her doctoral program last week and this was a step she has been looking to take. The District supports her promotion opportunity and is very proud of her accomplishments. We will immediately begin the hiring process for principal.”
Nadine Turner, Harbor Council PTA treasurer and CDMHS parent, said: “I wish her well. The incoming interim/principal will be the sixth one for our family since we started there in 1998.”
Asrani’s initial hesitation to permit the theater department to stage a production of the musical “Rent” earlier this year thrust the school into the national spotlight. She later said she never intended to ban the show but rather wanted a chance to review the script. In March, the ACLU filed a suit against the school, alleging homophobia (read our story here); when the show opened in May, hate protesters arrived from Kansas and were met with counter protesters, again sparking media interest in the school (read that story here).
In spite of those controversies, however, several parents on Friday said they were stunned by the news and that she would be missed. “I really liked her and loved what she did for CdMHS,” one parent said. “I certainly hope they have some good plans ready to replace her.”
Here is a copy of an email that was sent at 1:49 p.m. Friday, subject line reading “Good Bye”, to families signed up for the school’s School Loop website:
“Dear Parents and students:
This is a good-bye message from me to all of you. I have been offered a significant opportunity to head a district as Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and I am at that point in my life when this kind of a challenge is too much to pass up. This position will allow me to work with principals and teacher leaders in addressing the achievement gap and most importantly to implement programs and strategies for students who have very few incentives to succeed.
The process of hiring a new high school principal will start soon. There is much to celebrate about CdM and I thank each of you for being an important partner with me during these last four years.
Students, I will continue to be proud of your accomplishments and your hard work. I wish you the very best as you plan your years in high school and into college. I am confident that each of you will be very successful- there is a college out there for each of you- choose wisely and work di ligently, and you will get there.
Parents; thank you for your support. To the PTA, Foundation, and Booster families my heartfelt gratitude to you for recognizing and supporting the vision we brought to you. Our students here must continue to r emain our number 1 priority and I thank you for recognizing that priority in my requests.
I am honored to have served as principal of one of the best high schools in the nation. Even though I am excited about the new challenges that lie ahead for me, I leave with a content heart for what CdM has achieved and will continue to achieve.
The very best to each of you for a great 2009-10; keep smiling and good luck.
Fal Asrani
Principal
CdM HS”
What are your thoughts about this resignation? Leave us a comment.
