Mira Costa High Principal to Take Medical Leave

John Giovati, Mira Costa High School’s principal, is scheduled to take a medical leave of absence beginning Dec. 1 and has requested to be reassigned to another school in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District upon his return.

Giovati, 42, did not specify his medical problem, but has indicated that he has had a stressful year at Mira Costa. He will be on leave for a minimum of 60 days, according to the district.

Over the last 12 months the school has been racked with several scandals. Last fall, cheerleaders at the school refused to go to a football in Compton. Then, news reports alleged that marijuana use was rising on the campus. In June, a group of seniors vandalized the campus with manure, dead fish and chickens. And in July, the organization that sanctions Advanced Placement exams invalidated the test scores of about 250 students because seating guidelines were not followed when they took the tests.

Giovati will be replaced by Lynn McCormack, who was recently hired to fill a vice principal vacancy at the school. McCormack has worked as a principal and vice principal in Ontario, Canada, and as a dean of academics at a private school in New York.