Ex-San Clemente High principal is new Estancia principal

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District board of trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Michael Halt as Estancia High School’s new principal Tuesday.

“We are excited about him coming on board to the Estancia and Newport-Mesa family,” board President Martha Fluor said during Tuesday’s board meeting.

Halt served was principal at West Tisbury School in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and since 2013 was principal of San Clemente High School in the Capistrano Unified School District.

In March, Capistrano Unified trustees decided not to renew Halt’s contract. District personnel then pulled Halt from the campus on May 1 without explanation.

The Newport-Mesa district announced the recommendation of Halt as principal of Estancia on Friday. In the announcement, the district recognized Halt’s contributions during his time at San Clemente. Halt was credited with promoting advanced courses and working with stakeholders to “build an inclusive school community.”

Newport-Mesa trustees plan to invite Halt to their board meeting July 14 to be formally introduced as principal of Estancia.

He is expected to begin July 1.

—Alex Chan