Transitions
April 27, 2026
National School District trustees are proud to announce a successor to Superintendent Dr. Leighangela Brady, who will be retiring at the end of this current school year after 10 years of service to the district. Dr. Laura Philyaw was named the finalist for the top job April 6 following an extensive search for a new chief executive. The governing board is expected to approve a multi-year contract for the new superintendent at an upcoming regular board meeting.
Philyaw will be the first Latina to lead the district, which was formed in 1871. She joined National School District in July 2025 and has been serving as the assistant superintendent of Educational Services. She is a bilingual and bicultural educator who deeply values the strong sense of community that defines National School District and is looking forward to continuing to serve the students and families of National City as her role expands.
With more than 25 years in education, Philyaw has led initiatives that strengthen instructional systems, support school leaders, and foster meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff, believing they are the foundation of successful schools. She began her career at the Oceanside Unified School District, where she served as an elementary teacher, a middle school assistant principal, and then as an elementary school principal. She then transitioned to serve as principal at a dual language school in Encinitas Union School District.
Before joining National School District, Philyaw spent nine years supporting the Escondido Union School District, where she worked as a director, assistant superintendent, and then deputy superintendent of Educational Services.
Philyaw earned her Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership at the University of California, San Diego. She also holds a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. Her Bachelor of Arts Degree is also from UCSD.
Kelseyville Unified School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Wayment as its new principal of Kelseyville High School for the 2026-27 school year. Wayment brings almost 30 years of classroom and administrative experience in education from all over Lake County.
In the late 1990s, Wayment began her career at Kelseyville Elementary School, working toward her bachelor’s degree in education while serving as a bilingual aide in a kindergarten classroom. She then transitioned to classroom teacher, launching a career devoted to Lake County students and families.
Her career has spanned a year and a half at Konocti Unified School District; eight years at Lakeport Unified School District, where she focused on reading fluency, instructional coaching and English Language Learner coordination for kindergarten through 12th grade; and eight years at the Lake County Office of Education. At the county office, she rose to senior director of educational resources and accountability, overseeing English Language Arts, English Language Development, the Local Control Accountability Plan and principal coaching, while contributing to state-level accountability policy development. Most recently, she served 10 years at Upper Lake Unified School District.
Having begun her career as a bilingual aide, Wayment has maintained a strong connection to the Spanish-speaking community throughout her career. While approaching her language skills with humility, she is committed to breaking down cultural and language barriers and ensuring that all students and all families, regardless of background, feel equally welcomed, valued, and supported.
Submit news about educator promotions, retirements and obituaries to EdCal.
Submit
Find your next position in school leadership.
Search jobs