Creighton School District board approves multiple administrative hires, including two principals and two directors

The Creighton School District governing board approved four administrative hires effective July 1, 2025: Martha Lorena Hernandez as principal of Larry C. Kennedy Elementary School; Nicholas Lodato as principal of Excelencia Elementary School; Benjamin Parker as director of bond projects; and Jeffrey (Jeff) Guyer as director of facilities and transportation.

Hiring process and candidates: district staff described multi'phase searches for the positions. For the Larry C. Kennedy principalship, the district narrowed 9 applicants to 4 for in'basket activities and 3 finalists to interviews; Dr. Lauren presented Martha Lorena Hernandez as the recommended candidate. Hernandez has long service in the district, beginning as a dual'language sixth'grade teacher and later serving as an instructional coach and district special projects coordinator for innovation in the arts and sciences. The board approved her appointment; she thanked the board and described her focus on science, outdoor learning and inquiry instruction.

For the Excelencia principal vacancy, the district reviewed top applicants from recent principal searches and convened staff, teachers and student focus groups to vet finalists. The board approved Nicholas Lodato, whose résumé presented 22 years in education and a record of improving school ratings and third grade reading scores at his previous school.

For central office leadership, Benjamin Parker was recommended after a 12'person panel review; staff pointed to his 15+ years in operations leadership and multimillion'dollar project management experience and recommended him as director of bond projects. The board approved Parker.

Jeffrey Guyer, a long'time Creighton educator and administrator, was recommended as director of facilities and transportation after a 12'person panel and district executive interviews. Guyer served as a principal at multiple district schools and described the role as aligning facilities work to student outcomes; the board approved his appointment.

Votes and formal actions: each appointment was moved and seconded and passed with recorded "Aye" votes and no recorded nays in the transcript. The board also recessed briefly after the Larry C. Kennedy appointment for photographs.

Why it matters: these hires place school'level and facilities leadership in new roles ahead of the 2025'26 school year. District staff highlighted the candidates'operational and instructional experience and said the selections align with the district'wide Student Outcomes Focused Governance framework.

Next steps: appointees will assume duties July 1, 2025; district staff said onboarding and transition activities will follow.