School district names interim superintendent

Michael Miller

Bob Metz, who is currently finishing his interim year as principal of

Corona del Mar High School, has been appointed as the Newport-Mesa

Unified School District’s interim assistant superintendent of

secondary education starting in July.

Metz will succeed Jaime Castellanos, the current assistant

superintendent, who will leave June 30 to become superintendent of

the William S. Hart Union High School District in the Santa Clarita

Valley. Although the Newport-Mesa district advertised inside and

outside for Castellanos’ replacement, Supt. Robert Barbot handpicked

Metz even before applications stopped coming in.

“We looked at the plate in front of us, and Bob was really the

best person for the job,” Barbot said. “I’m thrilled and excited that

he’s coming to work for us. We’re going to be really fortunate in

that regard.”

Metz called his new appointment a real pleasure and said he had

learned about the post through working with Castellanos over the last

year.

“There’s a great deal here in the school district that’s well

planned and we want to make sure we move forward on it,” Metz said.

Metz, who officially retired several years ago, will hold his new

position on an interim level. Castellanos said Metz would likely

serve about a year before the district appointed a permanent

replacement.

“I’m pleased that Bob is going to be the interim [assistant]

superintendent because of his background,” Castellanos said. “He’s

ethical and a straight shooter, and he’ll do well at this position.”

Replacing Metz as Corona del Mar’s principal will be Fal Asrani,

who currently serves as principal of La Mirada High School in the

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District. The Newport-Mesa Board of

Education recognized Metz and Asrani at its Tuesday meeting.

Metz, who received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Cal

State Los Angeles, started his career as a teacher in the Los Angeles

Unified School District. Later, he served as principal at Tuffree

Middle School, at Esperanza High School and at Mission Viejo High

School.

“We love Bob and we’re really glad he’s going up to be interim

superintendent,” said Nadine Turner, PTA co-president of Corona del

Mar High School. “He listens, and he investigates everything. He

doesn’t just react.”

* MICHAEL MILLER

covers education and may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or by e-mail

at michael.miller

@latimes.com.