Principal’s new job is no small fry

Jeff Benson

Corona del Mar High School Principal Sharon Fry is leaving campus --

but she won’t be straying too far.

Newport-Mesa Unified School District named Fry its first

“Principal on Special Assignment” on Monday, citing a need for

someone to step in to assist with the redesign of local high schools

and to help provide educational options for secondary students. Fry

had been principal at Corona del Mar for three years and at TeWinkle

Middle School for more than two years before that.

“She’s just a very classy lady with extremely high standards,”

said Jill Money, who served as PTA president during Fry’s leadership

at both schools. “She always would make time for parents, and she’d

attend sporting events, cultural events, parent groups and social

events at the high school level.”

In her new position, Fry -- who could not be reached for comment

-- will assist with programs for students in danger of not finishing

school, alternative students and adult education and will implement

new state directives for secondary education programs, Assistant

Supt. of Secondary Education Jaime Castellanos said.

Supt. Robert Barbot said the district was pleased to have her

aboard, adding that her expertise will enable her to rise up to the

challenge. Recent community forums have shown a greater interest in

designing a flexible curriculum for the district’s students and

restructuring the schools’ facilities, hours of operation and online

course offerings.

“Ms. Fry thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and families

at [Corona del Mar], but Sharon’s passion has always been to help

make systemic changes in the way educators do business,” Barbot said.

Bob Metz, who most recently served as a principal in the

Saddleback Unified School District, will take over immediately as

interim principal at Corona del Mar High School. The district will

work with the Corona del Mar community to find a permanent

replacement for Fry.

* JEFF BENSON is the news assistant and may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at jeff.benson@latimes.com.