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Ruth Perez
*UPDATED
LA Unified announced today that Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Ruth Perez is leaving the district and will be replaced by Frances Gipson, the current Local District East superintendent who will serve as chief academic officer.
Perez, a former superintendent of the Norwalk-La Mirada school district, had been in her position since August of 2014 after she was hired by former Superintendent John Deasy. Gipson had only been promoted to her District East role in July.
Perez is leaving LA Unified to become superintendent of the Paramount Unified School District, pending approval of its school board.
Gipson previously served as principal of the El Sereno Middle School and Magnet Center, which became the first-ever California Gold Ribbon school in East Los Angeles, the district noted in a press release. Gipson, meanwhile, will be replaced in Local District East by Jose Huerta, principal of Garfield High School.
“I have been more than pleased with the work Dr. Gipson has done for the children in Local District East these past months,” LA Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines said in a press release. “Now, I have asked her to step into a role where her expertise and leadership will shape the futures of all students in LAUSD.”
At the beginning of the school year, Gipson was also named the new chairperson of the Instructional Technology Initiative taskforce and will continue in that role, the district said. As deputy superintendent of Instruction, she will oversee instructional plan and academic programs.
‘It is a true honor to serve colleagues, community, and student scholars of the united LAUSD family,” Gipson said in a statement. “Each and every day we exercise our beliefs in how we listen, learn and lead to increase student achievement. As a learning leader, I embrace the opportunity to support ‘Team Kid’ as we model and propel excellence for all.”
*Updated to reflect Gipson’s title will be chief academic officer