Spring Valley High School announced its new principal to faculty and staff in a Google Meet this morning. Tara Powell, former B. Mahlon Brown Junior High School principal and Spring Valley assistant principal, will begin the role starting tomorrow.

Powell is returning to Spring Valley following former principal Tam Larnerd’s retirement announcement in May. Powell was previously a teacher, dean and assistant principal at SVHS before becoming a principal at Brown for the past four years.

“I just can’t be any more thrilled to be able to hand the keys to somebody who knows the traditions, who knows the culture of excellence at Spring Valley High School,” Larnerd said in the announcement. “…who understands AVID and the importance of how it’s woven into the fabrics of our school, who is International Baccalaureate trained…”

Powell has served as the Middle Years Program Head of School at Brown for the past four years, which carries an IB distinction and was previously an English teacher, instructional and literacy coach before becoming an administrator.

“Spring Valley is a very special place to me and to many of you and I cannot believe I have this opportunity to come and serve and work alongside all of you,” Powell said in the meeting.

The selection process lasted two months ending with a final interview with Superintendent Jesus Jara on June 25.

“Again, I am elated and honored to have been selected to serve as your principal,” Powell said in a letter to parents and students today. “My door is always open and I look forward to working with the community to provide our students with an outstanding high school experience.”