Laguna Beach Unified School District's New Administration Hires

New release from the Laguna Beach Unified School District:

Laguna Beach Unified School District has appointed five new administrators to fill openings created by retirements. Superintendent Sherine Smith announced, “On behalf of Laguna Beach Unified School District, I am pleased to congratulate Dean West on his promotion and welcome Deni Christensen, Shannon Soto, Jerry Vlasic, and Courtney Robinson to the LBUSD family. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and talent to our District. Each new administrator brings a unique skill set to the table and combined they will make a dynamic, high-functioning team.”

• Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Dean West has served the District in exemplary fashion as the Director of Fiscal Services. In addition to owning his own accounting consulting business, Mr. West has served as the acting Executive Director of Business Services in West Covina Unified School District and the Chief Financial Officer in San Marino Unified School District.

• Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Deni Christensen began her career in business. She taught high school English for 11 years and followed by roles as an assistant principal and high school principal. Ms. Christensen is currently the Executive Director of Secondary Schools in Capistrano Unified School District and supervises 19 middle and high schools.

• Director of Fiscal Services Shannon Soto has both business and school leadership experience. Ms. Soto is currently a middle school principal in Capistrano Unified School District. She began her career as an accountant/CPA. Ms. Soto has also worked as a middle and high school assistant principal, as well as math, accounting, and technology teacher.

• Director of Human Resources/Public Communications Jerry Vlasic is currently an elementary principal in Newport Mesa Unified School District. In addition to his leadership as principal at other elementary schools, he has worked as a middle school assistant principal, English teacher, and computer teacher.

• High School Assistant Principal Courtney Robinson is currently an assistant principal in Huntington Beach Union High School District.  She has also served as an activities director/administrator, teaching assistant principal, teacher, and Social Studies Department Chairperson.