The Saugus Union School District said goodbye to two long serving Governing Board members at the District’s final meeting of 2018. Judy Egan Umeck, who served for 22 years, and Paul De La Cerda, who served for 13 years, left the Board following ceremonies at the Dec. 11, 2018 special meeting.
“Mrs. Umeck and Mr. De La Cerda have done outstanding jobs in their roles as public servants. Their individual and collective work has truly been a benefit to the students, families, staff, and communities in SUSD.,” said Dr. Colleen Hawkins, Superintendent of Saugus Union School District. “We will miss their steadfast dedication to the students and employees of this district, but we wish them the best as they continue to serve the community and do good works for people in the Santa Clarita Valley.”
Umeck, who was a member of the Saugus Board since first being appointed to fill a vacancy in 1996, remains a steadfast supporter of the district’s special education and child development programs and was seen as an advocate for these programs by the entire educational community. She served the Governing Board as President and Clerk on multiple occasions and was instrumental in the openings of five schools during her tenure as well as the passage of multiple bond measures, including the most recent, Measure EE in 2014.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my years of service,” said Umeck. “I am proud of the accomplishments the district has achieved during my tenure. I value the relationships and teamwork that lead to success of our schools. I will continue to advocate on behalf of all our children in the Santa Clarita Valley.”
De La Cerda, who has served since being elected in 2005, is a vocal advocate for higher education as well as a strong supporter of children’s causes, including stints on the boards of the YMCA, Children & Family Center, SCV Youth Project and Boys and Girls Club of the SCV. In addition to multiple terms as Board President and Clerk, he was instrumental in the opening of several schools and passage of several bond measures. He steps down from the Board to work towards his Ed.D. at USC.
“I’m extremely proud to be a part of a legacy of Santa Clarita school board trustees who committed time and service to provide excellence in education to thousands of students in our valley, added De La Cerda. “As I retire off the SUSD governing board, I want to thank my wife, Andrea, my children, Brooke, Taylor, JJ and Austin, and our SCV community for 13 years of support and encouragement to serve my hometown.”
The Board resumes meetings in the new year, with the first scheduled for January 22, 2019. Check the Saugus USD website for the full 2019 schedule.
About SUSD:
The Saugus Union School District serves the Santa Clarita communities of Saugus, Valencia and Canyon Country with 15 elementary schools for 11,000 students. The District was recently awarded Gold Ribbon Awards for 14 of 15 schools with two Exemplary Arts Awards, and these awards continue a tradition of excellence for the District, which includes five National Blue Ribbon Awards, 14 California Gold Ribbon, 35 California Distinguished School Awards (for 15 schools) and six California Business for Educational Excellence Awards (one Star School and five Scholar Schools).
[SUSD] - The Saugus Union School District governing board conducted its annual organizational meeting Dec. 10. The meeting began with oath of office for reelected Board Members, Douglas A. Bryce, Paul De la Cerda, and Judy Egan Umeck. De la Cerda begins his third term and was elected to the…
After thirteen years of service, Saugus Union School District (SUSD) Governing Board Member Paul De La Cerda announced on Friday that he will not be seeking re-election.
A public hearing to establish the new trustee area voting plan for the Saugus Union School District will be held Tuesday, Feb. 23.
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Good bye Paul. You didn’t have enough faith to put your kids in your home school of Tesoro and had to add to the overcrowding at Westcreek. Good riddance.
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced that Anthony Eslao, a senior at Golden Valley High School, has been awarded the distinguished California Scholarship Federation Seymour Award. Additionally, Matthew Thomas De Guzman, also from Golden Valley, has been recognized as a Seymour Award finalist.
The Saugus Union School District Asset Management Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. at the Saugus Union School District Office.
Saugus High School’s inaugural varsity color guard team will compete at the WGI Color Guard World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, Thursday thru Saturday, April 3-5.
The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District joins public health officials, agencies and cities statewide to promote California Mosquito Awareness Week from April 13- 19. This statewide campaign raises awareness about the public health threat mosquitoes pose to our communities and encourages residents to prevent mosquito breeding year-round.
College of the Canyons swam at the annual Pasadena City College Invitational April 3-5, with the Cougars' three-man team placing seventh in the field of 10 schools. Canyons freshman Sebastian Villalobos made a splash by breaking his own school record in the 100-yard breaststroke event.
The Master's University track and field team had a record-breaking day at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational on Saturday, April 12. Multiple school records fell including the men's 400m hurdles and the shot put.
After knocking off No. 5 Arizona Christian 5-0 Friday morning, The Master's University beach volleyball team got the rematch it wanted against Ottawa University Arizona in the team's first-ever GSAC Championship match.
1738 - Fr. Francisco Garcés born in Spain; came through SCV in 1776, found Tataviam fighting with Coastal Chumash, observed Santa Clara River flowing by night and dry by day despite the season being spring [story]
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission will hear a request from BluMax Santa Clarita, LLC on amendments to the MetroWalk Specific Plan to expand the housing types allowed and to delay or eliminate the requirement for affordable senior housing.
Be a part of key governance reform changes coming to Los Angeles County. An independent study is underway to identify strengths and challenges of the county’s current governance model.
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center has announced the largest gift in its 64-year history, a transformative $16 million donation from the estate of Julian and Gladys Saunders.
The dark, ashy sediment appearing on Los Angeles-area beaches does not appear to contain chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health.
A Mother's Day Eve Evening of Enchantment and Magic wine pairing dinner at Le Chene French Cuisine will be held Saturday, May 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth), has announced a package of bills focused on affordability, tax relief, consumer protections and lowering costs.
The unmistakable sights, sounds and flavors of the Old West are making their way back to William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321 and you do not have to wait long.
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 10-11 a.m. Monday, April 14 for a paws-itively delightful new program, "Paws to Connect: Adults and Animals."
Special Needs Athletes and Peers Sports will host its Food and Wine Tasting with Salt Creek Grille Fundraiser and Blues Music event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.
College of the Canyons will host Howard Fisher's Cougar Basketball Camp, with registration for two sessions now open to boys and girls entering third through eighth grade.
The College of the Canyons women's volleyball program invites girls and boys ages 8-14 to participate in the 2025 COC Summer Volleyball Camp, with two sessions beginning in July.
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1 Comment
Good bye Paul. You didn’t have enough faith to put your kids in your home school of Tesoro and had to add to the overcrowding at Westcreek. Good riddance.