Beverly Hills High School principal accepts post with Las Virgenes Unified

Dan Stepenosky Former Beverly Hills High School Principal Daniel Stepenosky has joined Las Virgenes Unified School District as assistant superintendent of personnel.

Stepenosky replaces Stephen Hanke, who accepted the superintendent position at Dublin Unified School District near San Francisco.

Stepenosky joined Beverly Hills High in 1995 as a physics teacher. He also taught astronomy and physical science and is credited with aligning the school's physics curriculum with California standards. In addition, he established a modified curriculum to help students with special needs.

Stepenosky quickly rose in the administrative ranks to become assistant vice principal of the high school. He later was named principal.

For his new job with the Las Virgenes school district, Stepenosky has set his goals high.

"I want to learn the culture (of the district)," he said. "I want to contribute to the excellence in the district in any way, shape or form."

District Superintendent Sandra Smyser said Stepenosky brings a wealth of experience to Las Virgenes. He served on the Beverly Hills Unified School District negotiating team, led the district's implementation of online certificated applications, and managed a $30 million construction budget.

Stepenosky has also been credited with developing effective recruiting and interviewing techniques, along with evaluation, hiring and promotion practices.

Stepenosky contributed to the book, "Best Practices of Award Winning Secondary School Principals," by Sandra Harris. He is a member of the California Interscholastic Federation Executive Committee, guiding the vision, philosophy and goals for the Southern Section of the group, which governs high school interscholastic sports for the 600-member high schools.

He also cowrote the high school's successful 1999 California Distinguished School Award application and the National Blue Ribbon application in 2000-garnering the high school's first-ever Blue Ribbon award.

Stepenosky coached Beverly Hills High School's science team, leading it to four state final appearances and one eighth place national finish.

"I just enjoy the people aspect of it," Stepenosky said of his educational experiences. "People are the most valuable component of any organization and that's especially true of schools."

A graduate of Villanova University with a bachelor of science degree in physics, Stepenosky completed his master's degree in educational leadership at California State University at Northridge, and his doctoral degree at UCLA. His doctor of education degree (Ed.D) is in educational leadership and policy studies.

To complete his dissertation on school safety practices, Stepenosky visited Columbine and

Thurston high schools, both of which suffered student shooting rampages.

Stepenosky served four years as a United States Naval officer aboard the USS Waddell and USS Chancellorsville. He participated in Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf and is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, two Navy achievement medals, a Southeast Asia Service medal and a Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation medal.

"We are delighted to have Dr. Stepenosky in the district and look forward to his role on the Las Virgenes Unified School District leadership team," Smyser said.

Stepenosky lives in Calabasas with his wife and two children.