GLENDALE : 6 New Principals Named at Schools

Glendale school trustees have named six new elementary school principals to replace five who are retiring and one who has taken another position within the district, officials said Friday.

The assignments end a three-month statewide search in which a total of 66 candidates applied.

“It was very hard because the list of candidates was just wonderful,” board President Jane Whitaker said. “There were so many qualified people to choose from.”

Trustees on Tuesday selected the six finalists from a field of 12. Candidates were interviewed by two eight-member search committees made up of district officials, staff members and representatives from the Parent-Teacher Assn. and the city’s Chamber of Commerce, said Robert Read, the district’s administrator for personnel services.

Four of the six are administrative interns in the district. They are: Lynda L. Christian, who will replace Principal Wayne Sparks at Horace Mann Elementary; Gary Goold, who will replace David Smith at Dunsmore Elementary; Janice Hanada, who will replace Lenore Lacey at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary, and Beverly Johnson, who will replace Cathleen Lawless at La Crescenta Elementary.

Constance Lue, principal at Winnetka Elementary in Canoga Park, will take over for Richard Martin at Glenoaks Elementary. Paula Willebrands, dean of students at Burbank High, will take over for Linda Milano at Monte Vista Elementary.

Milano will be transferred to Franklin Elementary. That school’s principal, Amaly Avakian, will take over for Ken Henisey at Muir Elementary.

Sparks, Smith, Lacey, Martin and Henisey are retiring. Lawless has been appointed assistant director of personnel services.