Squalicum High School Principal Miguel Perez has accepted a position with the Mount Vernon School District as the director of the teaching, learning and leadership, secondary.
“Mr. Perez has served as Squalicum principal for five years, and we appreciate all his hard work and efforts to lead Squalicum,” Bellingham Public Schools superintendent Greg Baker said in a message to Squalicum students and families. “He is dedicated to kids and a strong advocate for Squalicum.”
Perez has also worked for the Hawaii State Department of Education, in the Puyallup School District as a principal and in Federal Way Public Schools as an assistant principal, athletic director and English teacher, according to his LinkedIn.
Perez served as principal amid allegations that three Squalicum assistant principals failed to report the sexual assault of a student by another student.
Director of Athletics and Activities Laurel Peak will fill the role as the interim principal for next school year. She has filled the assistant principal role since January, when Squalicum assistant principals Jeremy Louzao and Meghan Dunham were moved to administrative roles amid the ongoing litigation regarding their duty to report.
“Ms. Peak brings a sharp focus on equity and inclusion and has loved working with the Squalicum community recently and in her former roles,” Baker said.
