Schools

Brian Mercer is Agoura High's New Principal

The Calabasas High School assistant principal will replace Larry Misel, who is retiring, in July.

The Las Virgenes Unified School District has announced that Brian Mercer will be the next principal of Agoura High School, replacing Larry Misel, who is retiring at the end of the school year. Mercer has been an assistant principal at Calabasas High School for the past three years.

"Brian has demonstrated tremendous leadership with us," LVUSD Superintendent Dan Stepenosky wrote in an email to Patch. "He has a true passion and dedication for education but more importantly a huge heart for all of his students."

The Agoura Hills resident said he is "honored" to be taking the reigns at the high school this July.

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"I feel a special connection to Agoura and its staff," he said. "Every time I go over there, whether its for athletics or a meeting, I get a great vibe from the students. You can tell that the kids really like being students there."

The educator won the position over 38 applicants, according to Rose Dunn, assistant superintendent, personnel.

Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The Board of Education is thrilled to welcome Brian Mercer as the new principal of Agoura High School," said Lesli Stein, board of education president. "Mr. Mercer has proved to be an excellent leader at Calabasas High and we wish him much success in this new position. The students, faculty and staff at AHS are all fortunate to have such a talented and student centered leader."

Mercer says he plans to meet with Misel throughout the spring to become fully integrated into the Charger institution.

"I've got big shoes to fill," he said of his predecessor. "I plan to shadow Larry to learn what's been put in place."

Mercer said that the most important goal he has is to let people know he is accessible.

"I plan to develop relationships with the staff and students," he said. "I will go to the classrooms, the games, the PFA meetings. Meeting people, listening to goals, is very important to me."

With over 13 years of education experience, Mercer served as the assistant principal, dean of students, and athletic director at San Lorenzo High School. Prior to that, he taught biological sciences and physical education. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Sonoma State and his Master’s of Arts from San Jose State.

He and wife, Erin, have three children: Jake, 6, Anderson, 3, and Megan, 9 months.


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