By Nick Sestanovich

Benicia High School, Benicia Middle School and Matthew Turner Elementary School all saw changes in leadership in 2016. Brianna Kleinschmidt, a vice principal and former English/yearbook teacher who also graduated from the school in 1997, was announced as the principal in March taking the reins of interim principal Mark Corti. Filling Kleinschmidt’s old position was Dr. James Brown, an administrator with extensive educational experience, including an instructional technology coach and coordinator with Calistoga Joint Unified School District and an associate professor at both Touro University and Sonoma State University.

Following the resignation of Benicia Middle School Principal Stephen Brady in February, Damian Scott was announced as the new principal in April. Scott had previously served as an administrative principal at Alhambra High School in Martinez.

Additionally, Marie Morgan, the assistant superintendent of educational services, left to become the new superintendent of Walnut Creek School District. This position was filled by Dr. Leslie Beatson, the principal of Matthew Turner Elementary. That left a void in the top leadership position at Matthew Turner, but it was quickly filled by Stephen Slater, a longtime teacher and administrator at several schools throughout Contra Costa County.

Source: 2016 Year in Review: Big Changes at BUSD – Benicia Herald