GLENDALE : New Principals Named at 3 Schools

The Glendale Board of Education appointed new principals this week at Crescenta Valley High School, Hoover High School and Rosemont Middle School, ending a search that attracted candidates from throughout the western United States, district officials said.

Gary Talbert, principal of John Muir High School in Pasadena, will take over at Cresenta Valley. He succeeds Ken Biermann, who was promoted earlier this year to director of student support services for the district.

Theresa Saunders, vice principal of Antioch High School in Northern California, will assume the helm at Hoover. She replaces Don Duncan, who was recently named principal of the district’s new Evening High School, which will open this fall.

Jerry Watson, assistant principal at Roosevelt Middle School, will succeed Principal Lois Neil at Rosemont in the La Crescenta area. Neil was recently promoted to director of curriculum and instruction for the district.

District officials said Talbert has more than 30 years experience in education as a principal, vice principal, teacher and coach. Saunders’ educational career has spanned four states and 20 years.

Watson began his career as a teacher in 1976 and spent 10 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District before joining the Glendale district in 1990 as coordinator of attendance and welfare.

“Crescenta Valley, Hoover and Rosemont have longstanding traditions of excellence,” District Supt. Robert Sanchis said. “I’m confident that each of the new principals is capable and committed to carrying on those traditions.”