By Daily Press staff
After more than a decade under the same leadership, Lincoln Middle School has a new principal.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School Board on Thursday appointed Henry P. Harris, also known as “Hank,” as the school’s new principal, effective July 1. Harris replaces Ilene Straus, who officially takes her post as Santa Monica High School’s principal on July 1.
Harris has big shoes to fill by following Straus’ lead, who is known for being a tough educator, a strong leader and a highly organized manager.
Lincoln, which has been recognized nationally and by the state, has a rigorous curriculum, tough student behavior policies and a dress code, all put in place by Straus.
Harris comes from a teaching background and has served as assistant principal at two middle schools in Oregon.
Most recently, Harris was executive director of the Global Learning Charter School in San Diego where he was fully accountable for management, both operational and academic, hiring staff, developing a business model, curriculum, policies and compliance issues.
Harris earned his bachelor of arts at Harvard University, his masters of arts in secondary education at the University of Michigan and was a Danforth fellow at the Center for Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Washington.
Harris has been involved in student management and discipline, creating a positive and safe school climate, and in staff professional development and evaluations. He is noted for working collaboratively and is a strong leader.
“I am responsible for ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed,” Harris said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 29, 2002. Read the original PDF.