Mt. Diablo Unified School District approved more than 20 administrator appointments for the 2026-27 school year, filling principal vacancies at six elementary schools, adding vice principals across multiple campuses, and creating new district-level positions focused on student wellness and athletic compliance.
The board approved the appointments as of June 24 according to the district's website. Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark has authority to continue making personnel decisions through the summer, with the full board expected to ratify those moves at its August 12 meeting.
New principals across the district
Six elementary schools will have new principals: Sara Nowinski at El Monte, James Stewart at Monte Gardens, Julian Urmson at Mountain View, Adria Ibarra at Pleasant Hill, Nicole Kitchen at Ygnacio Valley, and Stacy Campbell at Sequoia.
At the secondary level, Dr. Ethel Burton takes over as principal at Valley View Middle School, Amanda Loushin becomes principal at Ygnacio Valley High School, and Charles Harrington Jr. will lead Prospect Continuation High School and Horizons Center for Independent Study.
New district-level wellness and compliance positions
The appointment list signals an expansion of student support services. Four districtwide wellness administrators were named: Christopher Carlay, Jamie Jackson, Emilio Perdomo, and Miriam Rubel. Two mental health specialist positions were filled by Marcela Ardema and Shawna Puma.
A new position not previously seen in district appointment records, districtwide athletic compliance officer, goes to William "Lee" McPeak.
Vice principals and support staff
The district also hired or reassigned several vice principals. Zariah Tillman Perry joins Diablo View Middle School, Jill Grover moves to Oak Grove Middle School, Jennifer Anne Swatzell was hired at College Park High School, and Nicholas Tisa joins Concord High School. Additional vice principal assignments at the elementary, middle, and high school levels have sites still to be determined.
Rebecca Vichiquis will serve as the International Baccalaureate program specialist for Monte Gardens and Sequoia elementary schools, and Merritt Rollins becomes counselor at Hidden Valley and Meadow Homes elementary schools.
What it means for Walnut Creek
No new principal or vice principal appointment for Northgate High School appears on the June 24 list. The district has not announced any leadership change at Northgate, where Kelly Cooper has served as principal. The district may add appointments before the August 12 ratification meeting.
MDUSD operates more than 50 school sites serving roughly 29,000 students across Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, and surrounding communities. The Wednesday, August 12 board meeting is the next scheduled opportunity for public comment on personnel decisions.
