School Board Names New Principal for Benicia Middle School

The board selected Michael Minahen as the new principal for Benicia Middle School with a 5-0 vote Thursday.

Superintendent spent time Monday with the staff and faculty of discussing candidates. “That’s something I’ve done at every school when we looked for principals,” she said. The staff told her that she need not look any further. “I couldn’t agree with them more,” Adams said.

Minahen said he hopes to keep Benicia Middle School on a positive path. "Our goal is to continue to increase our tests scores, continue students being successful, moving them on fully prepared for Benicia High School.”

Current middle school principal Susan Hutchison is retiring.

Minahen, a 15-year Benicia resident, came to the district from Vallejo City Unified School District four years ago. He initially made the change to be on the same schedule as his daughter, who attends Benicia schools.

“I’d been a coach, an athletic director and teacher in Vallejo for many, many years. … It was very difficult being everywhere all at once. … I felt very fortunate and blessed that a spot opened up and they hired me at Benicia High School,” Minahen said.

With the move to Benicia, Minahen went from teaching to administration. He spent two years at Benicia High School before being moved to the middle school as a vice principal.