The governing board of the  Saugus Union School District made two appointments Dec. 10 to fill the recently vacated Director of Educational Technology and Informational Services and the Director of Fiscal Services.

Michael Leathers was appointed to fill the position of Director of Educational Technology and Informational Services.

Leathers has a strong background in supporting the integration of technology into educational systems and has an MS in Computer Science from Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Georgia.  He is leaving his position as the director of the Vice President of Information Technology for Daymar Colleges Group in Owensboro, Ky., to join the Saugus Union School District.  He has served in similar technology management positions for California State University Channel Islands, Master’s College, and Lockhead Martin.

Leathers is no stranger to the Santa Clarita Valley as he grew up in the Valley and attended Hart High School which he credits for sparking his interest in working with technology.  Michael Leathers has two school age children of his own and understands the need for children to have safe and child-friendly access to technology in order to improve their learning and gain 21st Century skills.

Tami Peterson was appointed to the position of Director of Fiscal Services.

Peterson has a worked in both educational and fiscal positions, including budgeting, purchasing, secretarial, administrative, and in non-public schools serving students with special needs, which have prepared her for this Director level position.

She is currently the Director of Fiscal Service at the William S. Hart Union High School District.  She has a BS in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne.  She and her family call the Santa Clarita Valley home and enjoy living in the Valley.

District Superintendent Joan Lucid said: “The ability of the Saugus Union School District to recruit and hire two such qualified candidates really speaks to the District’s commitment to providing students with a great education and its core values of  Respect, Integrity, Learning, Teamwork, and Enthusiasm.  The Saugus Union School District is an organization where people want to work and send their children to school.”

Both of the newly hired directors will begin in their positions with the District after the start of the new year.