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Published on 09/14/1998 All articles from this issue

Beloved Bullis-Purissima principal leaves for leadership center in S.F.

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

George Manthey, principal at Bullis-Purissima School in Los Altos Hills, announced his resignation from the Los Altos School District this month after being chosen to lead the Northern California Principal Leadership Center in San Francisco.

The beloved principal became known district-wide for dressing up like Mrs. Doubtfire and carving the outline of a bear in his hair in order to encourage students to participate in the school's annual walk-a-thons during the five years he worked in the district.

Manthey, who has been in education for 25 years, said he was "excited" about working at the center, where he will lead seminars and coach principals from six Bay Area districts.

Manthey said he expects to return to the Los Altos School District in two years after he completes his stint at the center.

Gratiot said Manthey's resignation came as a "surprise," but added, "This is a real honor for him."

Gratiot said she expects the board to hire a new principal by mid-October.

She said she expects between 40 and 50 applicants to respond.

"All we need is one good one, which we always seem to do," Gratiot said.

Gratiot said she expects the school to continue running smoothly during the search for a new principal.

In the meantime Manthey will continue serving as principal part-time along with interim principal Joan Pierce, a longtime Bullis teacher who recently retired.

"She knows Bullis well and has the trust and respect of the staff and of Bullis families," Gratiot said about Pierce.