New principal Jason Allemann is ready to lead Laguna Beach High

Jason Allemann had worked in larger school districts than Laguna Beach Unified, but when the Laguna Beach High principal position became available he jumped at the opportunity to work in a new environment.

Allemann emerged as the top candidate for the post and the school board in June approved his hiring. Allemann, who spent the last six years as Dana Hills High’s principal, relishes new challenges and adheres to a philosophy in which asking questions is just as important as giving answers.

“I look forward to learning a lot more things I don’t know yet,” Allemann said during an interview in his office earlier this week.

“I like to be out and about on campus, being accessible,” Allemann, 46, said. This could be taking in an innovative science lesson or listening to drama students practicing their lines for an upcoming play.

Allemann also brings expertise in behavior management and dealing with students’ emotional issues from prior roles as a school counselor. Allemann earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University, a master’s in social work from Cal State Long Beach, and a doctorate in educational leadership from USC.

While at Dana Hills, Allemann and colleagues developed a program focused on career exploration that combined lectures and job shadowing from professionals in fields such as hospitality and health and medicine.

Allemann said school is more than performances on exams.

“If we just focus kids on being ready for college admittance, we’re missing a lot of aspects of educating the student to be prepared for life after high school,” he said.

“College officials ask, ‘Can your students work in groups, can they argue an opinion effectively, what kind of experiences do they have where they apply theories to real life?’”

In addition to his time at Dana Hills High, Allemann, a Dana Point resident, worked as a principal, assistant principal and school counselor in the Anaheim Union High School District.

Allemann worked with parents on ways to support their children in their schoolwork, whether learning English or navigating the college application and financial aid process.

“Our school community is better the more people we have involved,” Allemann said.

Allemann admitted he does not like to sit still for too long and said he will make it a priority to be a visible presence on campus.

“He understands the importance of building strong relationships with students, staff and stakeholders and has hit the ground running, already meeting with teachers and staff who have been around this summer,” Laguna Beach Unified Supt. Jason Viloria wrote in an email.

The Laguna Beach High job became available earlier this year when Chris Herzfeld announced he would step down to pursue a teaching job.

Viloria said Herzfeld accepted a position in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

Allemann said he looks forward to starting school in September.

“To have the opportunity to be in a new work environment that is still in the general vicinity of Dana Point, it’s awesome,” he said.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce