To address the hypergrowth of our district, Lamar CISD is opening four new campuses for the 2024-2025 school year. Three of the four principals for the new schools were announced at this month’s board meeting:

Ernie Bainbridge
Viola Gilmore Randle ES
Principal

Laura Haugvoll
Willie Melton Sr. ES
Principal

Ben Perez
James Steenbergen MS
Principal

Ernest Bainbridge is being reassigned as principal at Hubenak Elementary to principal at Viola Gilmore Randle Elementary School. Mr. Bainbridge has 15 years of experience in education which includes six years as a teacher, five years as an assistant principal and five years as a principal. Mr. Bainbridge graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Art and earned his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University.

Laura Haugvoll is being reassigned as principal at Beasley Elementary to principal at Willie Melton Sr. Elementary School. Ms. Haugvoll has 31 years of educational experience, with 19 of those years in Lamar CISD. She began her time in the district as the Assistant Principal of Bowie Elementary in 2005. Since 2013, she has been the principal of Beasley Elementary. Ms. Haugvoll graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas.

Benjamin Perez is being reassigned as principal at Ray Elementary to principal at James Steenbergen Middle School. Mr. Perez has 27 years of experience in education which includes three years as a paraprofessional, four years as a teacher, four years as an assistant principal, two years as a math/science specialist, and 14 years as a principal. Mr. Perez graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and earned his Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from University of Houston - Victoria.