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# Heading for the Hills School director quits new position for Beverly Hills post
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/heading-for-the-hills-school-director-quits-new-position-for-beverly-hills-post/
- Published: 2006-09-28T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:26:44.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: Education, Malibu, #archive-import

*Departing Straus vows to ensure smooth exit*

SMMUSD HDQTRS — The Santa Monica-Malibu education community is losing one of its brightest stars.

Ilene Straus, a 20-year-veteran of the school district and current director of secondary education, announced Wednesday that she has accepted a key leadership position with the Beverly Hills Unified School District Straus, 57, will take over as assistant superintendent of educational services in Beverly Hills on Oct. 16.

“Part of my heart is in Santa Monica and it always will be, but this was an incredible opportunity and one that you just can’t pass up when it comes to you,” said Straus, a long-time resident of Santa Monica whose two daughters attended local public schools. “I really wanted to lead at the senior cabinet level. That has always been a goal of mine and now I will have a chance to do that.”

Straus, a UCLA graduate who received her doctorate from USC, will serve under Superintendent Karen McVeigh, who was just appointed by the school board two weeks ago.

Straus will command a salary of $143,000, she said.

“Beverly Hills has some of the finest public schools in America and our job is to help them achieve even greater success in the future,”Straus said.“Beverly Hills has many of the same concerns as (Santa Monica-Malibu) — they have great schools and they really want to do better, just like we do.”

Straus said she will work with SMMUSD officials to ensure a smooth transition, much like she has worked to do all summer in finding principals to replace those who left Santa Monica High School, John Adams and Lincoln middle schools within the past year.

SMMUSD Deputy Superintendent Tim Walker said he will be working with Superintendent Dianne Talarico in formulating a transition plan, at which time they will look at the current needs of the district and possible redesign of the central office to be more efficient and supportive.

District officials and education advocates praised Straus’ commitment to SMMUSD and said her leadership was instrumental in raising test scores at every school she touched, including Lincoln and Samohi, both of which she served as principal.

“Many of the positive aspects of our district are due to her diligent efforts throughout her many years of service,” said Shari Davis, chair of Community for Excellent Public Schools. “I think her leaving will be a gain for Beverly Hills, but a loss for Santa Monica-Malibu.”

During Straus’ time as principal, both Lincoln and Samohi became state and national models for effective redesign of secondary schools, with focus placed on knowing students well and increasing academic achievement for all students, combined with a strong culture of professional learning communities for teacher collaboration and improvement, district officials said.

While at Lincoln, Straus was named “California Secondary Principal of the Year,” helping Lincoln earn “National Blue Ribbon” honors for excellence and the “California Distinguished School” award.

“She has done a tremendous amount for our district … and she is responsible, in large part, for the gains at Samohi and the successful reorganization into smaller learning communities,” said Kathy Wisnicki, vice president of the school board.“She is a valuable asset to our district. I’m sorry to see her go, but I understand that this is an exciting opportunity in her life.”

Straus’ career has not been devoid of controversy. During her last year at Samohi, there were calls from some African- American and Latino parents to have her removed. Her appointment to senior director of secondary education was challenged by these same parents, many of whom felt she had performed poorly as principal at Samohi, which has endured incidents of racial tension.

At one point this year, members of Samohi’s African American Parent/ Student/Staff Support Group unanimously passed a resolution stating,“We request the termination of employment of Dr. Ilene Straus CEO/Principal of Samohi and that she not remain in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District because she is a clear and present danger to our children.”

The creation of the director of secondary education position was also criticized, after being publicly offered to Straus before it was approved by the school board, making elected officials feel they had no influence.

Straus said she hopes she is leaving behind a legacy which demonstrates a dedication to all students, resulting in improved test scores.

“I would also like to be remembered for creating a great professional climate for faculty and that I helped the community have wonderful schools that continue to improve,” Straus said.“I think that at every school I’ve led, the community’s confidence has increased, proving that public schools can get better.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 28, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092806.pdf?ref=smdp.com)