May 8, 2008

Burlingame High picks new principal

By Will Oremus / Daily News Staff Writer

Burlingame High School's next principal will be Chris Holleran, who has led Tamalpais High School in Marin County for the past seven years.

The hiring was approved unanimously by the San Mateo Union High School District's board of trustees at a special meeting Wednesday evening.

Holleran will replace Matt Biggar, who had already been working part-time in his new post as the district's associate superintendent for instructional services.

Chosen from among 21 applicants, Holleran came highly recommended by the district's search team, Superintendent David Miller said.

"I think we've got a heck of a guy. I think he's going to be someone who enjoys getting out of his office and interacting with kids."

Miller also noted that Tamalpais' Academic Performance Index scores have jumped to impressive levels during Holleran's tenure there.

Contacted after the meeting, Holleran said he was ready for the move to the Peninsula after accomplishing a lot of his goals in seven years at Tamalpais.

"I'm really excited about it. It's a district with a really good reputation and I feel privileged to be a part of it," he said.

Asked about his educational philosophy, he said, "I believe strongly in giving students every opportunity to challenge themselves. They're capable sometimes of more than we give them credit for."

Holleran, 51, grew up in Orange County and got his first job as an English teacher in Los Angeles County 27 years ago. He was principal of Kelseyville High School for one year and of Healdsburg High School for three years before coming to Tamalpais.

He'll visit Burlingame's campus and meet with staff, students and parents in the coming weeks before officially starting work in July 1.

The hiring is the latest in what has been a carousel of principal changes for the district. It's also in the midst of a search for a new head at Capuchino High School, where first-year Principal Katya Villalobos announced last month she was stepping down for personal reasons.

Miller said the district hopes to name a replacement for Villalobos later this month.



E-mail Will Oremus at woremus@dailynewsgroup.com.