Board ratifies three assistant principal hires for Lawndale schools

The Lawndale Elementary School District Board of Education approved the employment of three assistant principals in a single vote after the board amended the agenda to consider the hires immediately.

On a motion by Trustee Burrows, seconded by Trustee Morales, the board approved item 7.25 to ratify the hires of Dr. Isaac Olvera (recommended for William Green Elementary), Britney Campbell (Mark Twain Elementary) and Dr. Hwa Li (FDR Elementary). The motion carried 4-0.

Superintendent Dr. Sabrina Castro introduced each candidate and read biographical highlights. Castro said Dr. Olvera most recently served as an assistant principal in Glendale Unified, led reductions in suspensions and tardies, and holds an EdD in K–12 leadership from the University of Southern California. Castro said Britney Campbell brings more than a decade of experience, including work with Teach For America and leadership roles as a teacher on special assignment; she holds a master's in urban education. Castro described Dr. Hwa Li as experienced in MTSS and equity-driven leadership and noted her doctoral work at USC on interdistrict transfer policy.

Each appointee addressed the board after the vote. Dr. Isaac Olvera said, "I look forward to supporting all of the dynamic and exciting ... work currently being done," and thanked the board for the opportunity. Britney Campbell said she was "very excited to be joining Lawndale" and looked forward to planning the coming year with principal Michael Bosler. Dr. Hwa Li said, "I have just fallen in love with Lawndale" after visiting the site at FDR and expressed gratitude for the appointment.

Trustees and staff welcomed the new administrators; the board noted this was an uncommon motion in which three administrative hires were ratified together. The board recorded a 4-0 vote approving the appointments.