Los Cerritos parents, staffers protest over leadership shift 

Concern was immediately raised from parents who emailed Superintendent Shawnterra Moore en masse when the appointment was announced to the community. Staff joined Parent Teacher Association organizers in the demonstration after sustained feelings that the elementary school “gets thrown leftovers,” according to second grade teacher Amanda Sterner. 

“This is a school that has constantly had a boot on our neck and we have never really complained, we just did what we could,” Sterner said. “But we’re starting to develop a voice.” 

Tina Jang, PTA treasurer and parent of two at Los Cerritos, said she noticed an almost immediate shift in school morale. 

“In six years, she’s my fourth principal,” Jang said. “I’ve seen all the difference. Finally this year I felt hope that we had a good principal.” 

Pang-Maganaris was hired last fall after former principal Rick Yee was fired after serving in the role for a mere three months amassing complaints and staff members quitting as a result of his behavior, according to Sterner. 

Pang-Maganaris came out of early retirement to serve as interim principal and, when she applied to be considered for the permanent position, she said could only guarantee three years to the role. The district wanted someone to commit six to eight. 

“We truly appreciate the leadership of Dr. Pang-Maganaris and are so grateful for her service in SSFUSD,” Moore said in a statement. “The district has decided to hire another candidate for the principal position at Los Cerritos Elementary School, and we are looking forward to welcoming her to the district and helping her and the school community thrive.” 

Although Sterner and other staff members said they’d prefer fewer years with a “once in a lifetime principal” rather than working with what will be the fifth principal in five years. However, in an email sent to parents Tuesday, Pang-Maganaris said the school deserves someone more long term. 

“I have seen the power of a principal who is able to stay that long,” Pang-Maganaris said in an email sent to the community. ​​The need for this consistency is especially true for schools now that teacher turnover is so high — consistent principal leadership helps schools weather that change.”

Sterner has worked at Los Cerritos for only seven years and is the fifth most tenured teacher on staff. 

After the interviewing committee made of parents and staff presented their recommendations to Moore, demonstrating a desire for the interim to stay, the superintendent and school board voted otherwise. 

“Several members of the Los Cerritos Elementary School community participated in the hiring process and were supportive of moving this candidate forward to the next step in the process,” Moore said in the statement. “We believe they also saw strong potential in her ability to continue nurturing the school’s culture for what we hope will be many years to come.” 

Parent involvement has increased recently, Jang said, and the PTA recently worked to minimize class size and get rid of combined classes. Shortly after this effort’s success, the principal announcement came out. 

Pang-Maganaris asked parents in the email to “open your hearts a bit to be able to see how the really hard decision that Dr. Moore made is actually the right decision for our dear school.” 

Still, Jang and Sterner hope parents continue to feel empowered to raise their concerns to the district. 

The district needs to understand that this isn’t going to stop,” Sterner said. “This won’t be the last demonstration.”

ana@smdailyjournal.com

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