Board confirms multiple executive and principal appointments, approves general counsel contract amendment

The Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education approved a series of personnel appointments and an employment agreement amendment on June 11, voting unanimously on each item.

Major appointments approved (each motion adopted 5–0): Ryan Sheehy as Chief of Human Resources; Leonie Medina Estrada as Executive Director of Human Resources and Risk Management; Keisha Emmendorfer as Director of Human Resources; Martha Thomas as Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation; Brenda Barbera as Director of Budget, Accounting and Fiscal Compliance; Matthew Rosso as Director of Technology and Innovation; Nicole Bergland as principal of Walnut Acres Elementary; Jeanne Johnson as principal of El Dorado Middle School; Jamie Keith as principal of Valley View Middle School; Ronald Richardson as principal of College Park High School; Megan O’Malley (Megan Murphy O’Malley in the transcript) as principal of Prospect Continuation High School and Horizon Center for Independent Study.

The board also appointed a student representative: Alan Barrera Orrayana (listed in the meeting as Alan Barrera Orrayana / Oriana), named the student board member for the 2025–26 school year; the motion carried 5–0. The student member will take an oath of office at the board’s August 13 meeting.

Separately, the board approved the First Amendment to the employment agreement for Suzanne Sareki Kim as General Counsel effective June 30, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2028, setting salary at range 48, step 9 (salary cited in the meeting: $159,488). That amendment was adopted on a 5–0 vote.

Many of the appointment items were introduced by Human Resources staff and recommended by Superintendent Adam Clark and were briefly presented to the board before the motions were made. Appointees addressed the board after their approvals; several thanked family and colleagues and described priorities for their new roles.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Approve appointment of Ryan Sheehy as Chief of Human Resources — Motion: Trustee Mason; Second: Trustee McDougall; Outcome: approved 5–0. - Approve appointment of Leonie Medina Estrada as Executive Director of Human Resources and Risk Management — Mover: Trustee Kount; Second: Trustee Mason; Outcome: approved 5–0. - Approve appointment of Keisha Emmendorfer as Director of Human Resources — Mover: Trustee Nzewi; Second: Trustee Mason; Outcome: approved 5–0. - Approve appointment of Martha Thomas as Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation — Mover: Trustee Mason; Second: Trustee McDougall; Outcome: approved 5–0. - Approve appointment of Brenda Barbera as Director of Budget, Accounting and Fiscal Compliance — Mover: Trustee Kount; Second: Trustee Nzewi; Outcome: approved 5–0. - Approve appointment of Matthew Rosso as Director of Technology and Innovation — Mover: Trustee Kount; Second: Trustee McDougall; Outcome: approved 5–0. - Approve multiple principal appointments (Nicole Bergland, Jeanne Johnson, Jamie Keith, Ronald Richardson, Megan O’Malley) — motions and seconds recorded on the transcript; all approved 5–0. - Approve appointment of Alan Barrera Orrayana as student board member (2025–26) — Mover: Trustee Ochoa; Second: Trustee Cowen; Outcome: approved 5–0. - Approve First Amendment to the employment agreement for Suzanne Sareki Kim, General Counsel — Mover: Trustee Mason; Second: Trustee Nzewi; Outcome: approved 5–0.

Why it matters: The hires fill school‑ and district‑level leadership roles that shape curriculum, human resources, budget management and student supports. The unanimous votes indicate board consensus on the recommended slate.

What’s next: Several appointees will assume duties over the summer; the newly appointed student board member will be sworn in at the August 13 meeting.

Provenance for selected actions is included below.