Dr. Megan Atkins, Melanie Harris, Dr. Toni Brown, & Amanda Estes

Dear LCMSD Community,

As we prepare for the 2023-24 school year, we have several important leadership team updates. Paula Rigney, Chief Business Official (CBO), has been selected as the next Senior Director of Business Services at Marin County Office of Education. Under her leadership, LCMSD’s parcel tax passed at the highest level (77%) in district history, she refinanced bonds to save taxpayer money, she was a key player in transforming our schools to meet pandemic requirements, and she has collaborated with many stakeholder groups to course-correct LCMSD’s deficit budgeting. We thank Paula for her service and dedication to the students, staff, and community. Paula will begin at MCOE this summer - congratulations!

Dr. Megan Atkins has been selected as the new CBO and will be recommended for Board approval on May 17, 2023. The majority of her career has been in Los Angeles USD and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Dr. Atkins began as an elementary teacher and has taught all grades K-5. She went on to become a mathematics coach, assistant principal, and then the principal of LAUSD’s largest elementary school. She was then promoted to assistant superintendent of student services in MBUSD where she oversaw the district’s special education and counseling programs. For the last four years, Dr. Atkins has been a cabinet level leader for LACOE, specifically working with districts under State Receivership for financial issues. Her work included monitoring budgets, analyzing and implementing FCMAT recommendations, and supporting districts in the areas of special education, curriculum and instruction, human resources, and finance. Dr. Atkin’s impressive track record as a teacher, principal, eight-year executive cabinet member, doctorate from LMU, serving as an adjunct professor at CSUDH, and finalization of her USC CBO certification make her the ideal candidate to continue the great work of LCMSD’s business services department and advance district-wide goals. Dr. Atkins shared, “I'm thrilled and eagerly anticipating the opportunity to serve as the Chief Business Official for LCMSD. I am excited to collaborate with the dedicated LCMSD team and educational partners to achieve the district's strategic goals and provide the best possible education for our students." Dr. Atkins will begin this summer - congratulations and welcome to Marin!

For 2022-23, Melanie Harris was selected as the interim assistant principal of Hall Middle School (80%) and Neil Cummins (20%). This was an interim position as she was finalizing her administrative credential during the fall semester. We are excited to announce that after a rigorous process, Ms. Harris will continue as the Hall (80%)/Neil Cummins (20%) assistant principal (minus the “interim” status). Previously, Ms. Harris was a Neil Cummins teacher and prior to joining LCMSD, was a mathematics coach and staff developer, as well as a classroom teacher having taught grades 1-7. She has led LCMSD parent and staff CGI math workshops and has done a great job as an elementary and middle school assistant principal. We are excited for her to continue in this role. Congratulations Ms. Harris!

René Maher has done an excellent job as the School Violence Prevention Grant Coordinator. Under her leadership, staff have received emergency response training such as first aid, CPR, and stop the bleed. Additionally, she has coordinated mental health and school climate trainings such as de-escalation techniques, trauma informed practices, and positive behavioral interventions and supports. She collaborated regularly with first responders, federal grant administrators, and staff to implement these grant components. René is relocating and will be greatly missed as a teacher and grant leader. With that, we are excited to announce that this work will continue without missing a beat under the leadership of Dr. Toni Brown and Amanda Estes. Both, Dr. Brown and Ms. Estes will continue in their current capacities of Hall principal and Cove teacher; however, outside of that role, they will carry on this important school safety grant work. Dr. Brown will be primarily responsible for the mental health/SEL component and Ms. Estes will be leading the charge on emergency response and preparedness. Congratulations Dr. Brown and Ms. Estes!

Board of Trustees

Annie Sherman, President

Eric Schmautz, Vice President

Amir Movafaghi, Clerk

Beth Blair

Natalie Medved