Principal brings professionalism

A new face has come through to take charge and bring her knowledge and professionalism to the students and staff of Middle College High School.

Brenda King-Randle, 72, has taken the new position as principal of MCHS, replacing Hattie Smith, who retired in June.

“MCHS is like a diamond in the rough. It’s an opportunity to bring my experienced background and make (the school) shine,” King-Randle said.

After applying for the position of MCHS principal, King-Randle was approved by the West Contra Costa United School District board on June 27.

MCHS is an alternative high school at Contra Costa College which helps students  complete high school and ensure their success in college.

King-Randle said that for her to come to MCHS seemed like a great opportunity to not only work with great students, but staff as well.

Being the new MCHS principal would extend King-Randle’s third career as she first worked at a paper manufacturing firm called Crown Zellerbach for 13 years.

Under Crown Zellerbach, she worked in departments including human resources, customer service, marketing sales and production planning.

After leaving that job, she worked at Xerox for the next 12 and a half years as a salesperson before starting her career in education 15 years ago.

King-Randle has worked in the WCCUSD as a district officer coordinator overseeing the MCHS academic programs.

King-Randle said that she chose to become a principal to not only represent students, but to assist them.

Eric Reed, an MCHS mathematics teacher, said that King-Randle has a business approach while having an appropriate relationship with the students.

“(King-Randle) is like a coach,” Reed said. “She balances being open and firm.”

Sophia Close, an MCHS English teacher, agrees that King-Randle is both serious and sweet at the same time.

“She’s highly considerate and has brought a whole new light to professionalism,” Close said.

MCHS counselor Morgan Sanders said that King-Randle isn’t just sitting in her chair all day, but trying to build better connections between MCHS and CCC.

“She’s definitely determined and focused,” Sanders said. “She trying to continue (MCHS’) bridge with the community college.”

Several MCHS teachers and counselors agreed that bringing in a new principal can help benefit the program for years to come.

 Sanders said. “(It) allows for someone to evaluate the school from their (own) perspective.”

Reed agreed.

“She has come in with new ideas,” Reed said. “Someone with her knowledge and her perspective can be valuable.”

Close said that it’ll take a year for King-Randle to get her feet wet.

“Her professionalism will pay off because it is worth having a structure that she can bring in and head,” Close said.

King-Randle said that she wants to stick with “what’s been already set in place.”

“Nothing new (I would change) per say, just embellishing what’s already here and sustaining it,” she said.

King-Randle has earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southern University and an M.B.A. from Golden Gate University.

She enjoys cooking and likes to visit the CCC culinary arts department. She also loves to watch movies, go to church, read, dance and travel.