Lawndale board approves two principal appointments amid parents' calls to pause one hire over pending lawsuit

The Lawndale Elementary School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on July 16 to approve two administrative hires, including Dr. Ben Wardrobe as principal of Mark Twain Elementary and Olivia Parker as assistant principal at Roosevelt Elementary, after parents publicly urged the board to delay Wardrobe’s appointment while a federal civil-rights lawsuit naming him remains pending.

Parents and community members used the public-comment period to press the board for transparency and caution. "Proceeding with the candidate currently facing active allegations ... creates a type of undue risk that this law is designed to prevent," Heather Ross, a Mark Twain parent, told trustees, citing Title IX and asking whether the district had reviewed the lawsuit before advancing the candidate.

Several other parents reiterated similar concerns. Alma Romero said recent reporting identified Wardrobe as a defendant in litigation that alleges district officials failed to adequately respond to reports of student-on-student misconduct; she asked whether the board knew of the lawsuit before extending an offer and requested postponement until the matter is resolved. Joshua Rosales, a school-site volunteer, urged the board to delay approval to allow time for investigation, saying the community needs reassurance about student safety. Carrie Hurley Kim likewise asked for patience and additional transparency while litigation proceeds.

District staff and trustees responded that the candidate had disclosed the matter during the hiring process and that the district followed its background- and reference-check procedures. "He disclosed it," said Dr. Lisa Cooper, describing the district’s post-interview reference checks and stating that panels — which she said included parents, teachers, union representatives and managers — had unanimously recommended the candidate be brought forward.

Superintendent Lydia Castro and other administrators told the board they were confident in the vetting process and in the candidate’s qualifications. After the consent block containing the appointments was called and voted, the board welcomed both appointees to speak. Wardrobe, addressing the room, thanked trustees and said he looked forward to "relationship building" with parents, staff and students. Olivia Parker said she was honored and excited to serve in her new role.

The board acted on several routine and consent items during the meeting; motions to approve the minutes of June 25, 2026, the meeting agenda and consent items (including the appointments) carried by 5-0 votes. In a separate closed-session matter earlier in the evening, the board reported it discussed personnel and litigation and approved an action related to case number C81172627-26-27 by a 5-0 vote.

The district did not provide further public details about the pending federal lawsuit at the meeting; trustees and staff repeatedly cautioned that certain personnel and legal matters are confidential. The new administrators were invited to begin work and the district indicated plans to engage parents and staff in the transition process; the superintendent noted the appointees would begin in their roles around the start of the school year.