District names two high school principals

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT-MESA -- Costa Mesa and Newport Harbor high schools no longer

lack leaders. The Newport-Mesa Unified School District announced Tuesday

that Diana Carey and Michael Vossen will become the new principals of the

two schools, respectively.

While seven principals resigned from their posts in the district this

year, most positions have been filled at least temporarily. But Carey and

Vossen are here to stay.

“I’m thrilled,” said Carey, who currently works as assistant principal

at Fountain Valley High School. “It’s wonderful to be able to become part

of such a rich tradition. A diverse community adds so much to the

experience for the students.”

Carey began her career more than 20 years ago, teaching subjects

ranging from biology to English as a Second Language to home economics,

she said.

Michael Vossen, until now an assistant principal at Newport Harbor

High, said that he was equally excited about his appointment to head the

school.

“I am absolutely ready to hit the ground running,” he said.

Before coming to Newport Harbor last year, Vossen worked as an

administrator at Costa Mesa High for two years. He has also taught math

in the Corona-Norco and Chino unified school districts.

Jaime Castellanos, Newport-Mesa’s assistant superintendent of

secondary education, said that Vossen had been chosen for the job because

of his familiarity with Newport Harbor’s school community.

He added that Vossen had been instrumental in the school’s

accreditation process and the application for the National Blue Ribbon

Award last year.

Carey’s accomplishments at her former school included working on the

master schedule and curriculum, starting up a digital high school program

and overseeing Stanford-9 exams.

Carey replaces Andrew Hernandez, who worked at Costa Mesa High for

five years.

Vossen takes over for Bob Boies, who was principal at Newport Harbor

High for three years before retiring.