At its June 11, 2025, meeting, the MDUSD Board made the following appointments (click on names for more information):

• Chief of Human Resources: Ryan Sheehy
• Executive Director of Human Resources and Risk Management: Leanee Medina Estrada
• Director of Human Resources: Kesha Emmendorfer
• Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation: Martha Thomas
• Director of Budget, Accounting and Fiscal Compliance: Brenda Barbera
• Director of Technology and Innovation: Matthew Rosso
• Principal at Walnut Acres Elementary School: Nicole Berglund
• Principal at El Dorado Middle School: Jeanne Johnson
• Principal at Valley View Middle School: Jamie Keith
• Principal at College Park High School: Dr. Ronald Richardson
• Principal at Prospect Continuation High School and Horizons Center for Independent Study: Megan O'Malley

On its Consent Agenda, the Board also approved the following new administrator hires for the 2025-26 school year:

• Social Work Specialist, Special Education: Marcela Ardema
• Vice Principal, Secondary: Anthony Turner

In addition, the District announced the following appointment:

• Principal at Woodside Elementary: Madyson (Benz) Souza (appointed in April as an Elementary Principal at a site to be determined).

Previously, the Board made the following appointments for 2025-26:

• Director of Student Services: Melissa Brennan
• Director of Enrollment Services: Aurelia Buscemi
• Custodial and Operations Manager: Luis De La O
• Principal at El Monte Elementary School: Gilberto Parada Jr. 
• Principal at Highlands Elementary School: Carrie Nerheim
• Principal at Pleasant Hill Elementary School: Ann McNamara Kim
• Principal at Riverview Middle School: Veronica McLennan

The Board also previously approved the following administrator hires for 2025-26 on its Consent Agenda:

• Vice Principal, Cambridge Elementary: Brittany Rosenstrauch
• Vice Principal, Secondary: Raymond Leonard
• Program Administrator, Social Emotional Educational Collaborative (SEEC): Sarah Cabezas
• Program Administrator, Wellness: Norma Lopez

We will update this list as new appointments and administrator hires are approved for 2025-26.

New Principals include: (Top left, l-r) Dr. Ronald Richardson (College Park HS), Megan O'Malley (Prospect Continuation HS and Horizons Center for Independent Study), Nicole Berglund (Walnut Acres Elementary), Jamie Keith (Valley View MS), and Jeanne Johnson (Walnut Acres Elementary). In addition, Madyson (Benz) Souza has been appointed as Principal of Woodside Elementary, after previously being appointed as an elementary principal at a site to be determined (Bottom right).

The new Human Resources team includes (Top right, l-r): Director of HR Kesha Emmendorfer, Chief of HR Ryan Sheehy, and Executive Director of HR and Risk Management Leanee Medina Estrada.

New District Office administrators include: Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation Martha Thomas (bottom left); Director of Budget, Accounting and Fiscal Compliance Brenda Barbera (Bottom second from left); and Director of Technology and Innovation Matthew Rosso (Bottom second from right).

 

 

We're Hiring! Join Team MDUSD!

Would you be interested in making a difference in education? Don’t miss our MDUSD Hiring Event! 

• Date and Time: 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2025
• Location: Mt. Diablo Unified School District Office, 1936 Carlotta Dr. Concord CA 94519
• Details & Registration: https://mdusd.link/hiringevent

We’re looking for passionate individuals to join us in various roles across the District. Come meet our team, explore opportunities, and take the next step in your career!

Interviews and job offers at the event!

 

MDUSD is providing Free Community Meals available for all children 18 and under on selected dates between June 4 and August 1 at 24 District schools and the Concord Library.

Please see the attached flyers listing menu items and locations/dates, visit the Food and Nutrition Services website for more information, or call 925-682-8000 ext. 3775 for questions. 

 

MDUSD has updated its 2025-26 and 2026-27 Academic Calendars to include elementary caregiver-teacher conferences based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) approved by the District and Mt. Diablo Education Association (MDEA) teachers' union on June 5, 2025.

The updated calendars are attached.

 

The 2025 graduation season came to a close in MDUSD last week, after families, friends and District staff and community members celebrated the Ygnacio Valley HS and Mt. Diablo HS graduations the previous week, along with celebrations for graduates in the College Now and Ygnacio Valley HS CCAP STEM programs at Diablo Valley College. A recap of those graduation celebrations is here and in the May 30th Friday Letter. 

The Bridge Program, which serves students 18-22 with disabilities who have completed four years of high school, held its graduation on May 30 at the Loma Vista Adult Education Center in Concord. At the event, which was not live-streamed, 31 graduates received high school diplomas after learning life and work skills that will help them transition to adulthood, supported by enthusiastic families and friends. It included inspirational remarks from teachers Kim Huntley and Lynn De Mattei, Administrator Dr. Candace Edwards, and student speakers including Sergio Espinoza-Ortiz. Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, Chief of Special Education and Pupil Services Dr. Wendi Aghily, and Board Member Keisha Nzewi also celebrated the students' accomplishments.

The Concord HS graduation, which took place on May 30 at the Toyota Pavilion in Concord, can be viewed here. It included a welcome in several different languages from students Stephanie Perez, Oriana Castro, Wira Safi, Caitlyn Hoshida, Manizha Safi, Daisy Ann Meeker, and Zulikha Qurishi. It also featured inspirational addresses from Principal Julene MacKinnon, Dr. Clark, graduate speakers Aaimya Brown-Webster, Zainab Bakhshi, Brennen Pangilinan, Aisha Hamidi, Estefani Nieto-Benitez and Jenifer Cobian-Aguinaga; keynote speaker Mike Petta, who is an Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach and Special Education Assistant; and Board Member Tom McDougall. In addition, an honorary diploma was presented to the family of former Class of 2025 student Valentina Langhammer, who died during her freshman year.

The Alternative Education graduation for Glenbrook Academy, Horizons Center for Independent Study, and Prospect HS can be viewed here. It included inspirational speeches from Dr. Clark, Board President Linda Mayo, Horizons graduate Eliot Rentner and Prospect graduate Noemi Barajas. It also included the presentation of Mt. Diablo Council of PTAs scholarships and Mt. Diablo Alternative Education Foundation scholarships to several students. 

The Olympic HS and Crossroad HS graduation can be viewed here. It included inspirational remarks from Board Member Debra Mason; Olympic HS Principal Courtney Lyon and Crossroads Principal Coleen Martin; Dr. Clark; Crossroads HS speaker Valerie Alicatzy Galindo, Olympic HS speaker Ronald Morton Jr., and Olympic HS speaker Crystal Ochoa Gonzales, who is the Student Member of the MDUSD Governing Board; and teacher Lauren Ryan, who was selected by students for the Hilde Spritzer Award.
   
The College Park HS graduation can be viewed here. It included inspirational addresses by Dr. Clark, Principal Levirt Griffin, Board President Linda Mayo, Senior Class Officer Lila Nikolich, Senior Class President Aniyah Smith, and teacher Brinna Tom, who was chosen by students as their staff graduation speaker. 

The Northgate HS graduation can be viewed here. It included inspirational remarks from Principal Kelly Cooper; Dr. Clark; Student Speakers Devan Sughiarto and Simone Leto; Board Vice President Cherise Khaund; and retiring teacher Todd Bauleke, who is a Northgate alum. The event also included recognition of the Summit award winners, student musical performances, and the turning of the tassels led by Senior Class President Kathy Ly, Senior Class Vice President Devayani Batra and Senior Class Secretary-Treasurer Oladunni Akinsola.

The Adult Education graduation took place at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7th at the Loma Vista Adult Center in Concord. It was not live-streamed. 

Click here to see a video reel highlighting the Bridge, Olympic and Crossroads high schools, Concord HS, College Park HS and Northgate HS graduations. 

Check out the High School Graduation Social media highlights below to see more photos from the Concord HS, Alternative Education, Olympic/Crossroads high schools, and College Park HS graduation ceremonies.

MDUSD high schools celebrated graduations with speeches, awards and musical performances. Recent social media highlights included: Concord HS celebrating its graduation on May 30th; Facebook posts from MDUSD Board President Linda Mayo recapping the Alternative Education graduation and Olympic and Crossroads high schools graduation on May 31, as well as the College Park HS graduation on June 2.

Monte Gardens Elementary is very proud to announce that it is officially an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme school, after working toward the designation for several years as a "candidate" school. This means that the school offers an "inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding" based on international standards, said Kellie Hoover, MDUSD's Elementary IB Curriculum Specialist. 

To achieve this designation, teachers have integrated new techniques into the way they instruct students that give students more "voice, choice and agency" than traditional teaching, with a focus on global mindedness, said 1st grade teacher Shannon Grisafi. "Having a school that's so culturally diverse and having a focus on that is exciting," she said. Teachers work together to focus on interdisciplinary IB themes, such as how we express ourselves, where we are, our place in time, and how we organize ourselves. They encourage students to ask questions and dive deeply into aspects that interest them the most. For example, Grisafi said teachers use language arts to connect to science, math, arts, Spanish language, music and library resources. Teachers create lessons together, refine them, and then reflect on them, building each year on the foundation that is started in the early grades. 

To verify that Monte Gardens had earned the IB designation, IB officials interviewed students, parents and teachers and observed classrooms remotely via the Internet. The school has selected six students to be "ambassadors" who answer questions about their IB program. "IB is a very special title," said student ambassador Samuel Stogner, a 5th-grader. "Only 5,000 schools in the entire world get to call themselves IB."

Samuel and student ambassadors Isabella Engelbert and Derek Chun (3rd grade), Jack Gordon and Isabelle Sullivan (4th grade), and Sienna Curry (5th grade) said they learn about the world and strive to adhere to the Social Super Hero (IB Learner) traits: being inquirers, communicators, thinkers, and risk takers, who are knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective. "It teaches you how to make good choices and be a better person," Isabella said. Jack added: "When you're being principled, it means you do the right thing even if no one's watching and you don't always get an award for it." Being focused on inquiry means "asking questions and being interested in learning and wanting to learn more about something that interests you," Isabelle said. Giving students voice means "letting everyone speak and not leaving anyone out," said Sienna. 

Students also get to choose how to present what they are learning. For example, after studying about world conflicts, Samuel said some students presented projects using slides, or by writing an essay, or creating a poem. Being ambassadors is giving the students self-confidence and preparing them for the challenges they will face in middle school, they said. 

The student ambassadors also spoke to the MDUSD School Board earlier this year, along with representatives from the District's other IB schools: Sequoia Elementary, Oak Grove Middle School and Ygnacio Valley HS. More information about MDUSD's IB schools is here.

 

MDUSD is proud of the comprehensive supports offered to students in grades TK-12 to help them overcome challenges in school, as well as in their lives, so they can succeed academically and grow socially and emotionally as they progress through District schools. To highlight these supports and the staff members who provide them, MDUSD hosted an End of the Year showcase highlighting Counselors, College & Career Advisors, and Social Work specialists from every high school feeder pattern in the District on June 4 at Willow Creek Center. The showcase included special programs for students districtwide including wellness centers, expanded learning programs, work-based learning, support for students who are newcomers from other countries, homeless and foster youth, and Youth Empowerment Services (YES) for those who have not graduated from high school after four years.

This year, the event also included "flashlight" presentations by student support staff members from nine schools or programs, "shining a light" on specific strategies they are using to meet District goals such as improving grades, building school connectedness, increasing reclassification rates for English Learners, increasing college and career exposure, reducing suspensions, building conflict resolution skills, expanding dual enrollment college credit participation, and reducing elementary school tardies. It also included display boards featuring one-page descriptions of the work counselors, social work specialists and college and career advisors are doing at each of their school sites. The staff members who created the displays talked with visitors including principals during a "gallery walk," discussing their goals, challenges and achievements in the school year. They also explained how they work together to help students transition from elementary to middle school to high school. 

Monte Gardens Elementary counselor Annie Hagglund, who presented on building school connectedness, said the school gives awards to "Social Super Heroes" who show International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Traits. She also coordinates with counselors at Sequoia MS and El Dorado MS to prepare 5th-graders for middle school and hosted 6th-graders from the schools to speak to 5th-graders about what to expect. Based on feedback, she is now teaching students organizational skills such as using a planner, cleaning out their backpacks once a week and using color-coded folders. She said she enjoyed hearing the flashlight presentations from her colleagues. "It's so wonderful to see the amazing things everyone is doing," she said. "And it gives you ideas, such as community outreach to help students get to school on time with others who live nearby."

Pleasant Hill MS Counselor Lily Moore said she has worked with Counselor Robin Zahner to help about 30 students whose GPAs were below 2.0 to improve. The counselors offered homework groups, met with parents and helped students to create plans. By the end of the year, 5% of 8th-graders and 65% of 7th-graders had improved their GPAs, Moore said, adding that collaborating with families, meeting with students individually, and communicating with teachers netted the best results. She communicates with College Park HS counselors and social work specialists to help them understand the needs of incoming freshmen from her school. She and Zahner also help students learn social and emotional coping skills such as mindfulness, Moore said.

Mt. Diablo HS counselors and the College and Career advisor said they made 5,339 individual contacts with the school's approximately 1,400 students during the year, offering academic support such as informing them about graduation requirements and A-G course requirements for college admissions, enrolling in the online California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) platform, and Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE). They also worked closely with 20 students on improving attendance. Strategies discussed included going to bed early enough to get a good night's sleep, eating breakfast, and helping students to overcome transportation issues. College & Career Advisor Erika Ramos said proudly that the school also hosted the 6th annual HCBU Fair and helped students apply for scholarships, including 18 who received the Rossmoor Scholarship, the most of any school. 

Pedro Arroyo, MDUSD's Program Specialist for Counseling & Restorative Practices, said he has been working with schools to develop their capacity to implement restorative practices after conflicts. To do this effectively, he said, schools need to have a strong sense of student connectedness and feeling of belonging through relationship-building. Next year, he plans to implement a "training of trainers" strategy to help schools learn restorative practices. Oak Grove MS, Riverview MS and Hidden Valley Elementary will be receiving this support, he said, adding that Valley View MS also expects to work on restorative practices. "As a kid, I almost didn't graduate because I didn't go to some classes," Arroyo said. "But I went to some, because I felt a sense of belonging. So, a lot of this stuff is very personal to me."

Monte Gardens Elementary Principal Bess Inzeo stands with Counselor Annie Hagglund and Pedro Arroyo, Program Specialist for Counseling & Restorative Practices (left). Pleasant Hill MS Counselor Lily Moore stands in front of the College Park HS feeder pattern display (center). Mt. Diablo HS Counselors (l-r) Brian Rodda, Yaretzie Amaya, and Mala Datta, stand with College and Career Advisor Erika Ramos and Counselor Leidi Arias in front of their display (right). 

As part of MDUSD's recognition of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the District is flying the Pride Progress Flag above the District Office and outside Willow Creek Center through the end of the month. On June 2nd, District staff and Board President Linda Mayo, Board Vice President Cherise Khaund and Board Member Debra Mason were joined by PFLAG of Clayton-Concord President Kathleen Krentz, Concord Mayor Carlyn Obringer and Walnut Creek Mayor Cindy Darling as Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark raised the District's Progress Pride Flag.
 
"This moment reflects our shared commitment to instilling a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students, families and staff," Dr. Clark said. "Pride Month is a time to honor history, to celebrate the contributions and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, and to affirm the right of every individual to live life freely. By raising this flag, we are sending a clear message: you belong here. Who you are matters! And we are committed to ensuring your safety, dignity and success. Let this flag be more than a symbol. It is a promise to keep working towards a future where every student can thrive. Thank you for standing together today in unity and celebration."   

Board President Linda Mayo reiterated the Board and District's commitment to ensuring that all students feel welcome, safe and respected throughout the school year. Mayor Darling and Mayor Obringer said their cities are also flying Pride flags this month and they appreciated the opportunity to stand united with MDUSD. District campuses including Monte Gardens elementary also raised Pride flags in the month of June.

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Raising of the Pride Flag outside both our District Office and Willow Creek Center;
• Celebrating our Concord HS, College Park HS, Northgate HS, Olympic and Crossroads, Alternative Education, and adult special education Bridge program graduations;
• Superintendent's End of Year message;
• Counselor and student support staff showcase;
• Monte Gardens Elementary’s new International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme designation;
• Valley View Middle School’s fun end of year Field Day;
• Concord High School’s Class of 1972 alumna Julie (Jordan) Rodewald recognized as a 2025 Congressional Woman of the Year;
• And more!

You can read it here. 

 

MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent the following message to all District families on June 2, 2025:

Dear MDUSD Families,

As we close the chapter on what has been one of the most extraordinary years in recent memory, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our students, families, educators, and staff. Your unwavering support and belief in the power of public education have propelled Mt. Diablo Unified School District to new heights. We are proud to be a model District. Not only in the Bay Area, but throughout the State of California, we are recognized for our innovative programs, commitment to all students, and educational excellence.

This year, MDUSD stood as a shining example of what’s possible when a community unites around the success of every student. From academic achievement to athletic triumphs, from groundbreaking instruction to inspiring student leadership, our schools have been filled with excellence and purpose. While we acknowledge that we may sometimes miss the mark and that everyone may not always agree with our approach, we are committed to listening, learning, and continuously improving.

At the center of our work is a foundational value: we accept and support all students and families, regardless of background or resources. Every student in MDUSD deserves to feel safe, welcomed, and celebrated. This belief guides every decision we make and supports our mission to help each student reach their highest academic potential.

I am proud to share a snapshot of some of this year’s most notable accomplishments and programs:

Academic Excellence & Innovation

• Advanced Placement Courses offered across our high schools.
• Career Technical Education (CTE) programs honored at the county level and by the Concord City Council.
• Crossroads High School supports and graduates teenage mothers. It is the only program of its kind in Contra Costa County.
• Cutting-edge Multilingual Education Department advances language development for all learners.
• Digital Equity: 1:1 Chromebooks provided to every student.
• Dual Language Schools and Programs promote biliteracy and academic achievement.
• Engineering Clubs and Pathways, including award-winning robotics teams at College Park, Foothill Middle, and Ygnacio Valley High (Project 212’s “Leviathon” robot).
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools offer globally benchmarked instruction.
• Science of Reading training equips teachers with research-based literacy strategies.
• Model Continuation Schools recognized by the State of California.
• Specialized support for newly arriving students from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Central America, and other regions.

Arts & Enrichment

• Robust Visual and Performing Arts programs in band, choir, drama, ceramics, and digital design.
• Student participation in Odyssey of the Mind, leadership classes, student Board trustee, clubs and organizations. 
• High school musical concerts. Honor Band and Orchestra performances by middle school students. Elementary performances. 

Student Well-being

• Social Work Specialists, Counselors, and CARE Teams providing student support.
• Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) funds therapeutic services and staff training.
• SOAR Program supports students in foster care, experiencing housing insecurity and others with clothing, transportation, and academic resources.
• Fentanyl Awareness presentations held at all secondary schools. Gun Violence Prevention presentations at two high schools in partnership with city Police Departments.
• Multicultural Celebrations highlight and honor student identity and heritage.
• Wellness Centers available at all high schools and some middle schools.

College & Career Readiness

• Comprehensive support from High School Counselors and College and Career Advisors.
• College Now and Dual Enrollment opportunities through Diablo Valley College (DVC).
• 6th Annual HBCU Fair, awards over $2 million in scholarships and offers on-the-spot college admissions. College recruitment and visits to local colleges and universities.
• DVC Kickstart Program, provides first hand college experiences for seniors.

Athletics & Leadership

• Thriving Athletic Programs across all high schools, including league, Northern California, and National Championships.
• Freshman Sports offerings to build early athletic participation.
• JROTC and leadership programs inspire future-ready citizens.

Facilities & Technology

• Promethean Boards installed in every classroom.
• Stadium Renovations completed at Mt. Diablo High School.
• Centralized Enrollment System enhances family access and service.

Family & Community Engagement

• Cafecito con las Consejeras: a model for culturally responsive parent engagement.
• Balanced Budget maintained while expanding student and staff supports.
• Strong, transparent District Wide communication practices.

Food and Nutrition

• Fresh, farm-to-table meals served daily, prepared on-site or in our central kitchen.
• Menus reflect cultural diversity and meet the nutritional needs of all students.

Specialized Programs

• State-Recognized Programs for exceptional learners across the district.
• Specialty Schools focused on dual language, science and technology, and the arts.

This year was not just successful, it was transformative. Our progress is a reflection of the trust you’ve placed in us and the tireless dedication of our school community. If you’re a parent or guardian reading this, know that you made the right choice in sending your child to MDUSD. Your student is seen, valued, and supported.

As we look ahead to next school year, we remain committed to building on this momentum of pushing innovation, strengthening relationships, and ensuring that every student thrives socially and academically.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for being part of the MDUSD family.

Sincerely,

Dr. Adam Clark