Principals swap seats

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District plans to shuffle assignments among some of its principals.

After three years as principal of Costa Mesa High School, Edward Wong will be retiring this summer after 38 years in education, according to Laura Boss, spokeswoman for the district.

He will be replaced by Phil D’Agostino, principal at Estancia High School.

Costa Mesa High was honored a few years ago as one of the top 500 high schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report, something Wong played a part in and was proud of, Boss said.

He was also proud of the fact that the cheerleading squad was recognized as No. 1 in the country.

“Dr. Wong shared that he will forever be Mesa’s biggest supporter and advocate,” Boss said.

“He said, ‘Once a Mustang, always a Mustang. I will forever bleed green.’ ”

On Wong’s retirement, district Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard said, “I am appreciative of Dr. Wong’s service to NMUSD and his many contributions. I congratulate him on his retirement and wish him the best as he enters this new chapter of his life.”

D’Agostino will fill Wong’s position starting July 1.

Kirk Bauermeister, principal of TeWinkle Middle School, will become Estancia’s principal.

And Rich Rodriguez, principal of Newport Coast Elementary School, will take over at TeWinkle.