SSD Welcomes Two New Assistant Superintendents

SSD Welcomes Two New Assistant Superintendents
Posted on 12/08/2022
The Santee School District Board of Education approved two new Assistant Superintendents at the December 6, 2022, regular meeting. Following retirement announcements from Dr. Stephanie Pierce, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and Karl Christensen, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, the District conducted a nationwide search to fill these two vital leadership roles.

“Dr. Stephanie Pierce and Karl Christensen are models of exemplary, servant leaders. Their years of service to this school district, 20 years for Dr. Pierce and 14 years for Mr. Christensen, have provided stability, and their leadership has provided dynamic and strategic resources to the students of the Santee School District. I thank them for their dedication to the success of our district and will miss them immensely as they retire,” said Dr. Kristin Baranski, Superintendent. “In an effort to find replacements for these two dynamic leaders, I welcome Dr. Lisa Paisley and Dr. Marcia Hamilton to our team. Their previous experiences serving California school districts will serve them well in their new positions, and I look forward to working with them to continue to provide an exceptional education for students in Santee and a positive work environment for all our employees.”

Dr. Lisa Paisley has been appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. She has served Saddleback Valley, a PreK – 12th grade district in Orange County, serving approximately 25,000 students, for the entirety of her career since 1998. She has served in a number of roles including elementary principal, BTSA Induction, program specialist, instructional coach, teacher on special assignment, a classroom teacher (grades K, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9), and most recently as the District K-6 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) and GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Coordinator.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in this beautiful community and look forward to learning and growing with the Santee staff and students,” said Dr. Paisley.

Dr. Marcia Hamilton will join the District as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of State and Federal Programs and Accountability for Moorpark, a PreK – 12thgrade district in Ventura County, serving approximately 6,000 students. Prior to this District level work, she served as a school principal in the Moorpark District, a special education coordinator for the Ventura County Office of Education, a speech and language pathologist, and a special education teacher.

“I have devoted my career to ensuring students have access to resources, programs, and quality environments in which they can thrive,” said Dr. Hamilton. “I am excited to serve the Santee School District and to support Dr. Baranski and the Board of Education in providing an exceptional educational experience for the Santee community.”

Dr. Paisley and Dr. Hamilton will begin working for the District on February 1, 2023. They will work alongside their predecessors to ensure smooth transitions through June 2023, when Dr. Pierce and Mr. Christensen are set to retire.