June 29, 2020

Walnut Valley USD Board of Trustees has recently appointed three new administrators to the WVUSD team.  Diane Perez was appointed as new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Perez brings a stellar background and expertise in collaborative working relationships with teachers, staff, parents, and students to the new post. Her career spanned 15 years in the San Jacinto Unified School District where she served as superintendent for six years. She was also deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent of personnel services, director of student support, and coordinator of student services. Prior to that, she was a Safe Schools administrator and Pupil Support Services coordinator in the Riverside County Office of Education. Most recently she was Human Resources Consultant for the San Jacinto Community College. Perez succeeds Matthew Witmer who was named Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services in December.  Dedicated leader Emiko Chapman was also appointed as the new director of special education. Chapman is currently the director of special education and pupil services in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. She has spent her entire 18-year career in special education, having previously served as coordinator of special education and school psychologist. She succeeds Director Judi Koorndyk, an incredible champion for students with special needs, who is retiring from her position with 21 years of service at the end of the school year.  Bringing 12 years of educational experience, Andrea Poma, Ed.D. was also approved as the new assistant principal for Walnut High School. Poma has served as dean of student services in the Bonita USD for the past three years. Prior to that, she was a high school English teacher and ELD coordinator at West Covina High School.