By Remi Bailard
Arts Editor
After 11 years as Costa’s principal, Dr. Ben Dale officially announced his resignation from the position on March 16 and will leave the school at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year.
According to Dale, he is retiring because he believes it is time and will be moving with his family to experience new opportunities. Dale began speaking to Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews about leaving the school in early 2020 but decided that he did not want to leave students and staff during the pandemic.
“I end my 11-year tenure with a full heart and sincere gratitude for the time spent with students, staff and the entire MBUSD community,” Dale said in a newsletter to Costa families.
Some staff, including Manhattan Beach Unified Teachers Association (MBUTA) President Shawn Chen, expressed concerns about whether or not Dale’s nearing departure will prevent him from providing sufficient leadership to Costa students with the return to in-person learning. However, other faculty and board members are sad to see him go.
“Dr. Dale is a man of virtue and loyalty,” said Jen Fenton, MBUSD Board of Trustees president, at the March 17 MBUSD Board meeting.
At the meeting, the MBUSD Board outlined some of the accomplishments Dale made during his tenure, including the creation of National Letter of Intent Signing Day, office hours, a new athletic facility and the new Math and Science building.
“He loves every student as if they were his own, and he loves every staff member as if they were his brother and sister,” Fenton said at the meeting.
The district does not have a replacement for the position yet, but there are many candidates within MBUSD and outside of it, according to Matthews.
“Every day and every moment with students has been rewarding and memorable,” Dale said in the newsletter. “I look forward to finishing the year strong for the kids.”
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