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LA Unified approves dozens of senior appointments and several personnel actions; several approvals split 4–3
Summary
The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education authorized dismissal of five employees and approved a slate of senior management appointments effective May–July 2026, with two senior contract appointments approved by 4–3 votes and other appointments approved by wider margins.
The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education reported on April 28 that it authorized personnel actions including dismissals and a large set of senior-management appointments.
The clerk reported under Tab 2 that the board authorized the dismissal of three classified and two certificated employees. The clerk then read a long slate of senior management appointments effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, unless otherwise noted.
Appointments read into the record included: Anthony Agalar (chief of special education and specialized programs); Martha Alvarez (chief of legislative affairs and governmental relations); Tony Atenz (director of finance policy); David Baka (regional superintendent); Corge Bayardo (deputy chief procurement officer, facilities); Edward Kadana (director of facilities project execution); Janna Carter (chief of communications engagement and collaboration); Mark Cho (deputy director of facilities maintenance and operations); Isam Dadul (director of facilities planning and development); Carla Estrada (deputy superintendent of instruction); Dana Greer (deputy chief procurement officer); Ka J Himenez (general manager, KLCS); Smita Malhorta (chief medical director); Richard Morz (chief information security officer); Pedro Saledo (deputy superintendent, business services and operations); Manish Singh (director of food services); Carolyn Spate Gonzalez (chief of staff); Carlos Torres (director of environmental health and safety); Amanda Werrett (deputy chief of staff); and Robert Whitman (education transformation officer). The clerk reported these appointments approved with the vote recorded in the meeting as seven (transcript reads 'seven I's').
The clerk also read appointments described as senior contract management positions and time-limited positions: Sasha Lopez (senior director, office of the superintendent) was approved 4–3 (the transcript records the no votes as 'Dr. Reebas, board member Grego and board member Ortiz Franklin'); Kristen Murphy (associate superintendent, talent) was approved 4–3 (the transcript records the no votes as 'board member Newell, Dr. Ivas, and board member Ortiz Franklin'). The record lists other time-limited appointments: Francis Bayz (chief academic officer, July 1–Aug. 14, 2026); Pasadak Katmal (chief academic officer, starting Aug. 15, 2026); Anthony Godoy (associate chief, IT infrastructure, starting May 22, 2026); and Es Anna Estz (executive director, Beyond the Bell, starting May 22, 2026), which the clerk reported as approved.
Separately the clerk reported Jason Gianopoulos as director of labor relations (starting May 22, 2026) was approved 5–2 (the transcript records the nos as Dr. Rivas and Ortiz Franklin). Frank Serato as chief human resources officer (starting May 22, 2026) was approved 6–1 (the transcript records the single no as Miss Ortiz Franklin).
The clerk’s readout supplied start dates and vote tallies in the public record, but the meeting transcript does not include debate, staff reports, or additional written materials in the public portion of this report-out. The clerk’s recitation is the source for names, start dates and the vote tallies recorded in the meeting minutes.
