By Lookout Staff

August 6, 2012 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu School Board appointed two new administrators -- including a new principal at Malibu High School -- at its meeting last Wednesday.

Jerry Block -- who was assistant principal of Oak Park High School in Ventura County -- was appointed principal of Malibu High School.

Sean Allstot, who has taught Physical Education at Lincoln Middle School for the past six years, will become the school’s new assistant principal after serving on an interim basis.

“Mr. Block is well-versed in fostering a positive school climate and relationships with parents and the community,” district officials said.

Block -- who has a background as a computer consultant and programmer -- served for seven years as assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Oak Park High School.

“As Assistant Principal, he set and modeled high standards for teachers in implementing core standards and integrating technology into the classroom,” officials said.

Block also managed to introduce Mandarin Chinese instruction for grades 5 through 12 by securing a grant for a modern language program.

“Under his leadership, Oak Park High School’s (Academic Performance Index) surpassed the 900 mark, the (Regional Occupational Program) expanded, and the school received a six-year (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation,” officials said.

Previously, Block was a coordinator for testing and staff development at Calabasas High School. He also has experience as a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment support provider at Las Virgenes Unified School District.

Allstot, who has taught P.E. at Lincoln for the past six years, has also been an active member on Lincoln Middle School’s site council, which oversees the development of the school’s Single Plan for Student Achievement.

The plan calls for “actions to raise the academic performance of all students to the level of performance goals established under the California Academic Performance Index,” according to officials.

Allstot has also served as chairperson of the Faculty Advisory Committee, eighth grade coordinator and yearbook advisor.

“Mr. Allstot is well-versed in addressing middle school students’ academic, physical, and emotional needs,” officials said.

“He collaborates with his peers to develop realistic and achievable goals for students, communicating information to students and their families in a positive, clear, and articulate manner.”