Marine Colonel to Lead the Charge at San Clemente High

Ooh-rah! San Clemente High School is getting a new principal, and he’s battle tested.

The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday night appointed Michael Halt, a combat-experienced colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as principal at San Clemente High. While trustees said his military roots make him a good fit for the San Clemente community, it’s his track record in education that landed him the job.

"While he has impressive military experience … what stood out was his experience, knowledge and understanding of educational experience," said Board President John Alpay.

As a school principal in Massachusetts, Halt took the helm of an average performing school and helped turn it into most successful in state, said Capo officials.

According to the district, “Halt is currently principal at West Tisbury School in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. During his tenure at West Tisbury, Halt was awarded the Governor’s Commendation for Achievement in 2012 and was named a pilot candidate for National Board Certification for Principals.”

“I am pleased that we can appoint another proven leader with a passion for our educational mission as principal at San Clemente High School,” Trustee Amy Hanacek, who represents parts of San Clemente, said in a written release. “We fully expect Mr. Halt to command a strong presence, be actively involved, and work collaboratively with students, staff, parents, and the community to make San Clemente High School an outstanding school for every student.”

According to the district, Halt became an active duty Marine officer in 1987, serving as a combat leader in the First Gulf War, where he earned a Combat Action Ribbon and a Navy Commendation. Since 1992, he has served in the Marine Corps Reserve. During his post-9/11 tours, he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.

He also has 20 years of experience in education.

According to a statement from the school district, Halt has taught history and coached track and field at Cathedral City High School in Cathedral City, Calif. from 1993-1997, and at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs, Mass. from 1997-2000. In 2000, he became an assistant principal at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. He took on his current position as principal at West Tisbury School in 2004.

Halt earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern California and master’s degrees from Chapman University and Endicott College.

He succeeds George Duarte, Ed.D., who was earlier appointed to be the principal at Ladera Ranch Middle School. Duarte is a former senior non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.

Click here for a Patch Q & A with Halt about his military experience.