La Canada Unified appoints Carrie Hetzel to district HR role; Paskowitz to Paradise Canyon principal

The La Canada Unified School District Governing Board approved a personnel report on March 24 that included several administrative appointments and upcoming postings.

As described during the superintendent's report, the personnel item recommended Carrie Hetzel, currently the PCY principal, be promoted to Executive Director of Personnel Services and to report to district administrative services. The board also approved recommending that LCHS principal David Paskowitz be named principal at Paradise Canyon (PCY); the district will post the high school principal position following the board's approvals.

The superintendent said the district aimed to make the internal transitions intentional and strategic and indicated contract extensions for three remaining cabinet members would be brought forward separately. Trustee Josh Epstein moved to approve the personnel report; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call with votes recorded from Caroline Anderson, Josh Epstein, Joe Radebaugh, Octavia Thuss and Dan Jeffries.

Carrie Hetzel addressed the board briefly, calling the appointment "bittersweet" because of construction at PCY and thanking members for their confidence. The superintendent and cabinet members praised the internal promotions as a way to preserve continuity while advancing leaders into new roles.

The board did not record additional compensation details for the appointments at the March 24 meeting; the district's Human Resources office will manage postings and start dates.