La Cañada Unified promotes tech head Lewsadder
Recognizing the importance of technology in classroom instruction and standardized testing now and in years to come, La Cañada Unified School Board members voted unanimously Tuesday to promote current Technology Director Jamie Lewsadder to a cabinet-level position.
As the district’s new chief technology officer, Lewsadder will continue to lead the department while becoming directly involved in making decisions that will help build the district’s infrastructure and guide the use of technology inside and outside the classroom, according to LCUSD Supt. Wendy Sinnette.
“Under Jamie Lewsadder’s leadership as director of technology, the technology department has been transformed in four short years,” Sinnette told the board. “We’ve seen an integration of technology into curriculum, assessment, instruction — it’s increasingly evident that all that we do is interdependent with technology.”
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The superintendent said the timing was right, as the district begins the process of updating its Facilities Master Plan to guide future projects and funding considerations, in which technology infrastructure upgrades will play a big role.
Lewsadder graduated from high school in 1994 and spent several years working and attending Glendale Community College before transferring to California State University, Northridge, in 2004. Three years later, she graduated with a degree in English Language Arts Education and, by 2008, had earned a graduate degree from University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.
That same year, she joined La Cañada High School as an English teacher and remained in the classroom until 2013, when she was named technology director. Although she took some tech classes in graduate school, she admits her interest was piqued by helping her grandfather build computers when she was younger.
Speaking in a public comment, LCUSD parent and regular meeting attendant Belinda Randolph praised Lewsadder for always being responsive to questions and being a lifelong learner.
“I assume you guys know Jamie did not major in IT in college. She has continued to teach herself and go and learn everything she needs, and I think that’s an incredible role model for our students here in the district,” Randolph said.
Board Vice President Dan Jeffries credited the district’s easy transition to online state testing, in large part, to the preparedness efforts of Lewsadder’s team. Board President David Sagal agreed.
“Technology is essential to what we’re doing,” Sagal said. “We certainly have the right person for the job and we’re very grateful for your hard work.”
Beginning Aug. 1, Lewsadder will earn an 11-month salary of $131,725, according to the terms of the employment contract. Then, on July 1, 2017, she will be placed on year two of the district’s cabinet-level salary schedule and will advance through its steps each additional year.
Lewsadder said after the meeting she’d recently completed a Chief Technology Officer training program in Ontario, not to advance her career but because “I wanted to do my job really well.” When she learned at a recent leadership retreat Sinnette was eying her for a promotion, she was happy to be considered.
“I just really want to be helpful and to be in the meetings where a lot of the decisions are made. I think it will honestly save time,” she said. “There are so many things that are involved with technology that it really can’t be an afterthought anymore. It will be good to be a part of those planning conversations.”
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Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com
Twitter: @SaraCardine
