By Sara Ballenger

Los Altos School District Superintendent Marge Gratiot announced last Friday she has appointed Dave McNulty as the new principal of Loyola School.

McNulty, who is currently director of facilities construction for the district, will replace current principal Linda Eckols. Eckols, who has been principal at Loyola for four years, is leaving to be principal at the new Covington elementary school, which opens in August.

“I think first and foremost, I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to serve as principal at Loyola. It has been wonderful,” Eckols said. “I think Dave will be well received and I think he will be a good match here at Loyola.”

Eckols plans on remaining at Loyola until the end of June, with her new post at Covington beginning July 1.

“Dave and I will work together for staffing and class placements for the coming year so Loyola will be ready to go,” Eckols said.

McNulty has a long history in the district.

“He has been a very successful principal at Santa Rita and Oak schools,” Gratiot said. “Currently he is completing a temporary assignment as director of facilities construction, where he worked to ensure that the design of our renovated schools will meet the needs of our educational program.” Gratiot hopes to find someone to fill McNulty’s position on the board of trustees by late spring.

McNulty also has a personal history with Loyola. His own children attended school there and he taught fourth grade and kindergarten at Loyola for several years. He was also instrumental in the construction of some of the first kindergarten playground equipment at Loyola.

“I had my first teaching assignment with the district there. It will be nice to get back and be connected with the school and the kids, and I think it’s a great place to do it,” McNulty said. “I am really looking forward to working alongside parents and students.”

Gratiot said of McNulty, “He is intelligent, thoughtful, child-centered, committed to creating a good academic environment, visible and accessible, and has a good sense of humor.”

The parent-teacher association is arranging opportunities for parents to meet McNulty.

Los Altos School District Superintendent Marge Gratiot announced last Friday she has appointed Dave McNulty as the new principal of Loyola School.

McNulty, who is currently director of facilities construction for the district, will replace current principal Linda Eckols. Eckols, who has been principal at Loyola for four years, is leaving to be principal at the new Covington elementary school, which opens in August.

“I think first and foremost, I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to serve as principal at Loyola. It has been wonderful, ” Eckols said. “I think Dave will be well received and I think he will be a good match here at Loyola.”

Eckols plans on remaining at Loyola until the end of June, with her new post beginning July 1.

“Dave and I will work together for staffing and class placements for the coming year so Loyola will be ready to go,” Eckols said.

McNulty has a long history in the district.

“He has been a very successful principal at Santa Rita and Oak schools,” Gratiot said. “Currently he is completing a temporary assignment as director of facilities construction, where he worked to ensure that the design of our renovated schools will meet the needs of our educational program.” Gratiot hopes to find someone to fill McNulty’s position on the Board of Trustees by late spring.

McNulty also has a personal history with Loyola. His own children attended school there and he taught fourth grade and kindergarten at Loyola for several years. He was also instrumental in the construction of some of the first kindergarten playground equipment at Loyola.

“I had my first teaching assignment with the district there. It will be nice to get back and be connected with the school and the kids, and I think it’s a great place to do it,” McNulty said. “I am really looking forward to work alongside parents and students.”

“He is intelligent, thoughtful, child-centered, committed to creating a good academic environment, visible and accessible,” Gratiot said of McNulty, “and has a good sense of humor.”

The Parent Teachers Association will be arranging opportunities for parents to meet McNulty.

For more information, call the school at 964-5165.