Two Murrieta Valley Schools Get New Principals

Murrieta Valley Unified School District Superintendent Pat Kelley announced the appointments of two new principals for the upcoming school year, and a new district administrator. The assignments will take effect on July 1.

Leigh Lockwood, currently Principal at Tovashal Elementary, has been promoted and will begin serving as the Director of Human Resources. Lockwood has been Principal at Tovashal Elementary since 2010. Before being appointed Principal at Tovashal, Lockwood served as Assistant Principal at Avaxat Elementary and Rail Ranch. Lockwood holds a BA from UC Santa Barbara, a Masters in Educational Administration and an Administrative Services Credential from Azusa Pacific University. Prior to coming to the district, Lockwood spent seven years as the Assistant Principal and two years as Principal at Menifee Elementary School. She also has five years of elementary teaching experience.

Marcie Kea, Principal at Shivela Middle School, will replace Lockwood as Principal at Tovashal Elementary. Kea has been Principal at Shivela since 2010. Prior to becoming Principal she served as Assistant Principal at Shivela for one year. Kea was also the Assistant Principal at E. Hale Curran for seven years. Before coming to the district, Kea taught grades 1-6 and she was an Assistant Principal in Temecula Valley Unified School District and in the Vista Unified District. Kea received her B.A. and Masters in Educational Administration from National University and she holds an Administrative Services Credential.

Mark Pettengill, Deputy Principal at Vista Murrieta High School, has been promoted and he will serve as Interim Principal at Shivela Middle School. Pettengill served as Assistant Principal at Murrieta Valley High School for six years before being promoted to Deputy Principal at Vista Murrieta High School last year. Pettengill has been an educator for 31 years and he has experience as a high school teacher, coach and college athletic director. Pettengill earned his doctorate degree in educational leadership from La Sierra University.

The district will conduct a search for the permanent principal for Shivela Middle School during the first semester of the school year. Parents, faculty and staff will be given an opportunity to provide their input during the permanent principal selection process.

Kelley said, “We are fortunate to have so many top quality people in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District which allows us to promote from within. These promotions and new assignments will utilize the special talents and skill sets of each of these administrators. I am confident that Mrs. Kea and Dr. Pettingill will use their proven leadership experience to build on the excellent educational programs that are in place at their new schools.”