SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education has appointed Paula Lytz, assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School, as the new principal of John Muir Elementary School at a meeting on Thursday, September 17.

Lytz, a bilingual teacher, served at Lincoln Middle School since 2013 and brings with her 19-years of experience.

The SMMUSD Board of Education has appointed Paula Lytz as the new principal of John Muir Elementary School in Santa Monica
The SMMUSD Board of Education has appointed Paula Lytz as the new principal of John Muir Elementary School in Santa Monica.

“At Lincoln, Lytz supervises and evaluates classified and certificated staff and oversees special education, science, visual and performing arts, world language and PE departments. She also monitors safety and security of the facility, in addition to other responsibilities,” says the district’s press release.

Before her time at Lincoln Middle School, Lytz served as assistant principal from 2012-2013 at Hamilton K-8 School in Novato, California. She has also taught classes in Spanish, English language development and culture from 1996-2011 at a score of different communities in both California and Ohio.

“I am so excited to be joining the close-knit community at John Muir Elementary, and I am eager to get to know the children, staff, and parents,” Lytz said in the press release. “Although I will miss my Lincoln Middle School family, I am honored to continue my service to our district as a member of the principal team. I look forward to working with teachers and families to make Muir a place where all students can thrive!”

Lytz will be replacing Barry Yates, who was previously serving as John Muir’s interim principal. Yates is said to have been involved in the school district for 41 years and continued to be a mentor to administrators after his retirement in 2012.

Yates was filling in for the Tristan Komlas, principal of John Muir for seven years, after she returned to Samohi, where she is now a house principal.

Lytz has a Bachelor’s of Science in Spanish education from Ohio State, as well as a Master’s of Education in educational leadership from University of Cincinnati.

In addition to being a recipient of the Lincoln Middle School 2015 PTSA Continuing Service Award, Lytz is also a certified trainer with the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.

“Paula will be a valuable addition to our district leadership team,” said Superintendent Sandra Lyon. “I would like to congratulate her on her new position.”

District officials are currently working on a “transition plan” to fill the position of assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School.