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Wiseburn Unified recognizes retirees and long-serving employees at May ceremony
Summary
The Wiseburn Unified School District board celebrated retirees, long-service honorees and district award winners on May 22, naming employees with 10–40 years of service and presenting district awards including a Southwest SELPA recognition and a new Engage·Empower·Elevate honor.
The Wiseburn Unified School District Board of Trustees held its annual longevity and recognition presentations on May 22, honoring retirees and employees with milestone service anniversaries and presenting district awards.
"Favorite meeting of the year," said Nisha (presenting staff member), introducing the retiree recognitions. The board and district staff acknowledged multiple retirees and long-term employees across schools including Holly Glen, Aviation Elementary, Del Air and district maintenance and food-service staff.
Retirees specifically recognized in remarks included Liza Huff (unable to attend) and Deidra Jeffrey, both commended for long-term teaching, classroom innovation and traditions they established at Holly Glen. Other named honorees across service milestones included Margaret Peg Patterson (Aviation Elementary), Liza Downer, Chiyo (40+ years at Del Air), and many employees listed for 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 30-year service pins. The district also named Marissa Larson, a special-education teacher at Aviation Elementary, as a Southwest SELPA community advisory committee award winner for inclusive practice.
District awards: The inaugural Engage·Empower·Elevate award went to Brandon Herrera, described in remarks as the district's BCBA who supports students and staff across sites. The board also named a classified employee of the year (Daniel "Danny", campus supervisor) and certificated employee of the year (Gina Stern, fifth grade teacher at Aviation, recommended to the LA County Office of Education for teacher-of-the-year consideration).
Why it matters: Trustees and administrators framed the recognitions as acknowledgments of long service and the continuity that staff provide for students and the community. Dr. Don Brand, a longtime superintendent and district historian, spoke about district longevity and presented a special recognition to Trustee Nelson Martinez for 20 years of board service.
Distinguishing discussion and formal action: These recognitions were ceremonial; no policy changes or binding actions were recorded as part of the presentations. The transcript records trustees and guests offering remarks and presenting pins, plaques and photographs.
Ending: Trustees closed the special-presentations portion of the meeting and recessed for a five-minute break before returning to the regular agenda.
