Meet-and-Greet Set for New Natomas High Principal

Mark Beebe

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Natomas High students and their families will have a chance to meet the school’s new principal during a meet-and-greet event scheduled for Tuesday.

Principal Mark Beebe and the school’s entire administrative team will be on hand 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on August 6 in the library to kick off the 2013-14 school year. Refreshments will be served.

“I’m nervous because it’s our senior year and we are used to Mr. Eick, but I’m also excited because it’s a change for the whole school,” said senior Kylie Opp,17. “…it will be interesting to see what the new principal has in store for the school.”

Beebe comes to Natomas High from the Fresno Unified School District where he worked from 2006 to 2013 as vice principal at Sunnyside High School. For about four years he held dual roles as a teacher and administrator. From 1999 to 2010, Beebe worked as an English teacher, as assistant athletic director as well as head boys basketball coach at Sunnyside High.

Previously, from 1994 to 1999, Beebe was an English and physical education teacher, athletic director and head boys basketball coach at Chowchilla High School.

According to Natomas Unified School District Superintendent Chris Evans, Beebe spent six years as a member of the United States Army National Guard and is a “decorated athletic coach.” Evans noted Beebe was seven-time coach-of-the-year in two separate leagues for boys basketball and a two-time coach-of-the-year in two separate leagues for track and field.

Beebe was hired to replace John Eick, Natomas High principal from 2008 to 2013. Eick left his post at the end of the 2012-13 year to help implement new common core standards in the Natomas Unified School District. He had worked at the high school for 14 years.

“I felt shocked when it was announced that Mr. Eick was leaving – he became my favorite principal because of his spirit and determination … for everyone at NHS,” said junior Rudy Obstaculo,16. “I just hope that the new principal has that same drive.”

Natomas High intern Ojaswi Adhikari contributed to this report.