Region News
February 24, 2025
R14: Assemblymember speaks at breakfast update
On Jan. 10, Region 14 hosted its annual Legislative Update Breakfast. District and school administrators were joined by keynote speaker Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, who provided an update on current legislation affecting education in California. As both a local representative and the chair of the State Assembly’s Education Committee, Muratsuchi’s insights were invaluable. His presentation, followed by a Q&A session, offered an opportunity for Region 14’s district leaders to express concerns and outline their priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Region 14’s President-elect Benjamin Waldrop, 1st VP of Legislative Action Kerry Aguero, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, President Jenna Murata, Treasurer and ACSA State Director-At-Large Katherine Castleberry.
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi addresses district leaders
R6: Administrators of the Year announced
Region 6 is excited to announce its winners of the 2025 Administrators of the Year. These region winners are now finalists in their category for state ACSA Administrators of the Year. State winners will be announced on April 21 and recognized at the annual Leadership Summit in November in San Francisco.
Superintendent: Crystal Castaneda, Byron ESD.
Secondary Principal: Demetrius Ball, San Ramon Valley USD.
Middle Grades Principal: Sherry Strausbaugh, Fremont USD.
Elementary Principal: Paulette Smith, San Leandro USD.
Central Office Administrator: Hong Nguyen, San Ramon Valley USD.
Secondary Co-Administrator: David Martinez, Livermore Valley JUSD.
Elementary Co-Administrator: Jeremy Vilkins, Livermore Valley JUSD.
Personnel Human Resources: Matthew Chamberlain, Pittsburg USD.
Adult Education Administrator: Heidi McFadden, Fremont USD.
Career Technical Administrator: Hilary Dito, Contra Costa COE, and Amos Nugent, Pleasanton USD (Region 6 co-winners).
Special Education Administrator: Veronica Polk, Knightsen ESD.
Business Services Administrator: Rianne Pfaltzgraff, Oakley Union ESD.
Student Services Administrator: Felicia Stuckey Smith, Mt Diablo USD.
Curriculum & Instruction Administrator: Kimberly Noble, San Lorenzo USD.
Continuation/Ed Options Administrator: Sheila Jemo, Fremont USD.
Technology Administrator: Kelly Hilton, San Ramon Valley USD.
Valuing Diversity Award: Chaunise Powell, Alameda COE.
Partners in Educational Excellence Award: Union City Family Center, New Haven USD.
State award nominees:
Marcus Foster Memorial Award: Kirstin Snyder, Alameda USD (nominee for state award).
Ferd Kiesel Distinguished Service Award: Katherine Crawford, Alameda USD (nominee for state award).
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