Two new principals have been appointed by the Juneau School District to fill vacancies left by departing school leaders, including one position vacated amid allegations of student assault. The appointments were announced by district officials in late April 2026, following a period of administrative review and community input.
The Juneau School District confirmed that Lisa Chen will assume the role of principal at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School, effective July 1, 2026. Chen previously served as assistant principal at the same school and has over 15 years of experience in Alaska public education. Her appointment comes as the district seeks stability after the departure of the former principal, who was placed on administrative abandon in March 2026 following an investigation into allegations of physical contact with a student.
The district’s human resources office stated that the decision to place the former principal on leave was made after reviewing preliminary findings from an internal investigation conducted in accordance with district policy and state reporting requirements. No criminal charges have been filed as of April 2026, and the matter remains under review by the Juneau Police Department, which confirmed receipt of the district’s referral but declined to comment further on an active inquiry.
In a separate appointment, Michael Torres has been named the new principal of Harborview Elementary School, also beginning July 1, 2026. Torres brings experience from his prior role as principal at a K-8 school in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. The district cited his background in instructional leadership and community engagement as key factors in the selection.
Both appointments were approved unanimously by the Juneau School Board during its regular meeting on April 22, 2026. Board President Samantha Reed emphasized the importance of continuity and trust in school leadership, stating that the district prioritized candidates with deep local ties and proven records in student safety and academic support.
The Juneau School District serves approximately 4,500 students across 14 schools in Alaska’s capital city. District officials noted that principal transitions are routine but acknowledged heightened community interest due to the circumstances surrounding one of the vacancies.
As of May 2026, the district has not announced a timeline for the conclusion of the ongoing investigation into the former middle school principal. Officials said they will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and adhere to all applicable state statutes regarding employee conduct and student protection.
Parents and staff are encouraged to direct questions to the district’s communications office. For updates on school leadership and district policies, visit the official Juneau School District website.
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