The San Marino Unified School District has hired Lena Richter as executive director of educational services.
Richter comes from the Glendale Unified School District, where she most recently worked as the director of categorical programs and interventions, a role in which she was responsible for coordinating and leading professional development in curriculum, instruction and program compliance review.
Additionally, she provided leadership and coordination of state and federal programs and oversaw the Local Control Accountability Plan, which according to the California Department of Education describes the goals, actions, services and expenditures to support positive student outcomes that address state and local priorities. Richter was responsible for providing leadership and support to three departments and more than 30 employees.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the students, staff and community of the San Marino Unified School District,” said Richter, whom the district hired last week. “I am excited to join this amazing district and look forward to working alongside a steadfast community that places an unwavering priority on maintaining high standards of excellence for every student.”
Richter holds a doctorate in educational leadership, K-12, and a school business management certificate from USC. She has seven years of experience as a school site administrator in the GUSD at the elementary and secondary levels. She was the principal of Balboa Elementary School for five years, and then was hired as assistant principal at Herbert Hoover High School for two years.
According to a release from the SMUSD, Richter was described by her references as “an outstanding, passionate, caring, hard-working educational leader, who works tirelessly to provide all students with the best educational experience possible.”
Richter lives in Altadena with her husband, Peter. They have one daughter and one son.
“I am privileged and fortunate for the opportunity to work under the leadership of Superintendent [Jeff] Wilson, whose forward-thinking, innovative vision and road map for success will best prepare our students for future endeavors in college, career and life,” Richter said.
Richter replaces Issaic Gates, who in May was reassigned as the SMUSD’s director of curriculum and community partnerships before being named principal of J.H. McGaugh Elementary School in Seal Beach. Previously, the post was held by Jason Kurtenbach, who is currently the principal of San Marino High School.
