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Public commenters urge wider superintendent search as several speakers criticize one applicant
Summary
Multiple teachers and parents urged the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District board to widen the superintendent candidate pool and to vet applicants carefully; several speakers criticized former Norwalk High principal Ryan Smith and others urged hiring from within or considering interim superintendent Tanya Magana.
Dozens of public speakers used the board’s public‑comment period to press the Norwalk‑La Mirada Unified School District Board of Education to expand the search for its next superintendent and to vet candidates more thoroughly.
“I hope you’re more upfront with the public about this process,” an early commenter said, urging the board to “open the pool of candidates” and to avoid a process that “feels unfair.” Della Robertson, a Benton Middle School teacher, told trustees she had personal experiences with Dr. Ryan Smith at Norwalk High School and urged the board not to select him. “Dr. Smith did not behave in a respectful manner…he showed no openness, no collaboration,” Robertson said (Della Robertson, public comment).
Dean Westerfield, a senior English teacher at Norwalk High, said Ryan Smith’s two‑year tenure there damaged staff morale and demonstrated poor interpersonal skills. “He was astoundingly arrogant…he had the uncanny ability to turn any conversation or suggestion into an argument,” Westerfield said, and urged trustees to “widen our scope” and be patient in filling the post.
Other speakers urged hiring from inside the district. One teacher recommended Dr. Michael Gatto, citing his work leading schools during the pandemic and his experience in human resources. “Our district needs a servant leader…who will rebuild trust,” the speaker said (public comment in support of Michael Gatto).
Why it matters: The board is choosing a district leader at a time when teachers, parents and classified staff have raised concerns about morale, special education services and staffing. Several speakers tied the selection process to broader questions of trust and transparency, asking trustees for clear vetting, opportunities for community input and specific questions to ask candidates about priorities such as climate and student supports.
What’s next: Board members did not make a hiring decision during the meeting. The public record shows strong, organized interest in both internal and external candidates; trustees signaled they will proceed through the advertised search process and asked staff to provide additional information to the board about next steps.
