Announcing Westlake High School's Next Principal

Two weeks ago, we announced that Westlake High School Principal Keith Schenker would be retiring and leaving Mount Pleasant at the end of the school year. As promised, I am writing to share important updates regarding the leadership at Westlake High School.  Mr. Schenker’s resignation was accepted by the Board of Education at their November meeting. Keith has graciously agreed to continue to serve as principal through the end of the current school year to ensure a smooth transition for our students, staff, and families.

At the December 18, 2024  Board of Education Meeting, I will be recommending to the Board of Education the appointment of Mr. Daniel Brady, currently Westlake High School’s Assistant Principal, as our next principal, effective July 1, 2025. When Mr. Brady was hired as our assistant principal, it was with the clear intention that he would work closely with Mr. Schenker in preparation for the possibility of this transition. Over the past two years, Mr. Brady has demonstrated his dedication, expertise, and leadership, positioning him well to take on this new role. He has deeply immersed himself in the master schedule, was instrumental in the development of the Districtwide Code of Conduct and all facets of the school program, including the planning and launching of our Career Research Academy.

In the time that Dan has been with us, he has proven himself to be a strong instructional leader who has built meaningful relationships with both students and staff. He has prioritized student voice and along with Mr. Schenker has led Westlake High School through a lens of collaborative decision making aimed at strong teaching and learning.

Dan is an excellent thinker.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the College of Charleston, a Master of Science Degree in Childhood Education and a second Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership, both from Lehman College. He is currently enrolled in the Russell Sage College Esteves School of Education, where he is working towards earning his doctoral degree.  Dan’s research interests are focused on how performance based assessment can positively impact student learning and achievement, which is a core principle of our Strategic Plan.

The next step in the process is to recruit an assistant principal. The Board of Education and I are committed to maintaining the strong leadership, high standards, and a focus on continuous improvement that have always characterized Westlake High School. Further details regarding the comprehensive search, including the formation of a committee composed of students, staff, and community members, for the next assistant principal will be shared at the start of the new year, when the position will be posted for applications.

We are grateful for Mr. Schenker’s many years of service and the lasting impact he has made on the Westlake High School community. We are equally confident that Mr. Brady will continue to build on that legacy as he takes on this important role as Westlake High School’s principal.

Thank you to the incredible faculty and staff at Westlake High School for their dedicated work and to the entire Mt. Pleasant community for your continued support of our students and schools.

With best regards,
Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools