ENCINITAS — The San Dieguito school board has officially named a new principal at Diegueño Middle School in Encinitas.
Juan Mendoza will begin the role on July 1, following his appointment by the San Dieguito Union High School District board last month. Mendoza will take over for Principal Celeste Barnette, whose resignation is effective June 28.
Mendoza has over 30 years of education experience and is the principal at Van Buren Middle School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating from St. Mary’s of the Plains with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health, Mendoza began his career as a PE teacher and head football coach at St. Pius X High School in New Mexico.
Additionally, he served as a high school and middle school assistant principal and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Creighton University.
The hiring of a new principal comes approximately two months after a Diegueño campus supervisor was arrested on March 25 after allegedly meeting with a 12-year-old female student and sexually assaulting her at an off-campus location. Omar Hernandez Galeana, 21, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Garmo comes from the Grossmont Union High School District and has 25 years of educational experience.
