Costa Mesa principal to leave

Deirdre Newman

COSTA MESA -- When school resumes Jan. 7, there will be a new face in

the principal’s office at Costa Mesa High School.

Principal Diana Carey will be leaving in the middle of her second year

after dealing with the tumultuous months following a football player’s

death this fall.

Defensive linebacker Matt Colby died in September after collapsing

during a game. An autopsy later revealed he suffered two brain injuries.

Carey will move to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District office to

help with its reorganization and to work on a variety of projects,

including adult education, student services and curriculum instruction.

Along with Colby’s death, the fall season also has been rough at Costa

Mesa High after football coach Dave Perkins’ move in May from rival

Estancia High. The switch between the schools boiled some blood among

parents and football boosters.

Carey was not available for comment Friday, but Assistant Supt. Jaime

Castellanos said Carey expressed interest in moving to the district level

when a position became available.

A position recently opened and, instead of waiting until the end of

the school year to fill it, Castellanos said he wanted to speed up the

process by bringing in Carey now. One of her top priorities will be to

help the district with its future planning that will begin in February.

“We thought it would be better to have her come in and get started

[now] instead of after the fact, so after the new year we’ll be off and

running,” Castellanos said.

In addition, Carey will work with staff evaluations and continuing the

district’s exploration of a new facility for the adult education program.

Carey’s move comes after a year of stability in the district’s

principals’ offices. In 2000, more than half a dozen principals resigned

from their positions, including Carey’s predecessor.

Last year, former Corona del Mar High Principal Don Martin took a

temporary job in the district office before taking a job in a school

district in Northern California.

Longtime district employee Bob Evans will be the interim principal for

the rest of the school year while a replacement is sought.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .