Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lomita Park Leadership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents urge Millbrae board to commit to stability at Title I Lomita Park after principal exits
Summary
Multiple Lomita Park parents told the Millbrae Elementary School District board they need consistent, supported leadership after principal Dr. Janine announced she will not return; the superintendent said she is meeting with staff and community members this week to gather input on the next hire.
Several Lomita Park parents told the Millbrae Elementary School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 3 that frequent principal turnover is harming students and families and asked the district to guarantee more stable, supported leadership.
"We just really need to see a strong commitment, preferably in writing, that clearly demonstrates that Millbrae is really serious about helping Lomita Park thrive as a school and as a community," said Naomi Funahashi, a Lomita Park PTA member, recounting recent gains in reading, math and chronic absenteeism under the school’s outgoing principal, Dr. Janine.
Why it matters: Lomita Park is the district’s only Title I school, parents told trustees, and parents said they have seen measurable academic improvement and lower absenteeism since Dr. Janine’s arrival. Speakers said losing leaders after short tenures undermines progress and community trust.
Tiffany Davis, president of the Lomita Park PTA, said the school has shown upward trends on the California Dashboard and asked the district to involve families in selecting the next principal. "While this decision was not made by a majority of the Lomita Park community, we understand that there is no changing it," Davis said, adding that the PTA hopes the next principal will stay longer than the recent two‑to‑three‑year turnover cycle.
Another speaker, Salvador Marino, asked the board to improve communication so families are not surprised midyear when leadership changes occur.
District response and next steps: President Chin and Superintendent Lisa Hickey thanked speakers and reminded the public the Brown Act limits board responses during public comment. Hickey said she is meeting with staff and community members this week to discuss the principal position and to solicit input on selection criteria and process.
The board did not take any formal action on personnel at the meeting; trustees noted the superintendent will continue community engagement and that future meetings and agenda items will carry updates as appropriate.
