FONTANA, CA – Fontana Unified School District kicked off the 2017-18 school year with the appointment of three new District administrators and seven new principals, many of whom are longtime Fontana staff and alumni.

Fontana Unified alum Gorge Santiago was named Executive Director of Secondary Schools. Santiago attended Redwood Elementary, Sequoia Middle and Fontana High schools and later served as Sequoia’s principal. During his tenure as principal, the school was named an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Schoolwide Site of Distinction.

“I cannot tell you how honored I am and how excited I am about this opportunity,” Santiago said. “When I started in Fontana as a kindergarten student, I never would have imagined that someday I would be executive director of secondary education.”

Miki Inbody, the new Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, has served Fontana Unified as a teacher, Dean of School Improvement, assistant principal, principal and Director of Professional Development and Teacher Support. Inbody said she is glad to be back to serve the community after six years with Redlands Unified.

“I am so grateful to be back in Fontana and to rejoin the ranks of the Fontana family,” Inbody said. “I feel like I am coming home.”

Ryan DiGiulio is the new Associate Superintendent of Business. He comes to Fontana Unified after working in a similar role for Rowland Unified, Marysville Joint Unified and El Monte Unified High school districts. He holds a bachelor’s in economics from UC Berkeley, and a master’s in accounting and a juris doctorate from USC.

Fontana Unified also appointed new principals for the 2017-18 year, including:

Renee Castanon, Summit High School – Castanon came to the District in 2007 and has served as assistant principal at Fontana and Kaiser High schools. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s degree in education and teaching and administrative credentials from Cal Poly Pomona.

Dr. Roy Rogers, Southridge Middle School – Rogers previously worked in the San Bernardino Unified School District. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English, a Master of Arts and a Master of Science in education, and a doctorate in education from Cal State San Bernardino.

Antonio Viramontes, Sequoia Middle School – Viramontes joined the District in 2006 and has served as assistant principal for Oleander Elementary School and principal of Oak Park Elementary School. He received a bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent development from Cal State Fullerton, a master’s in education from University of La Verne and a master’s in educational administration from Cal State San Bernardino.

Edmund Barker, Locust Elementary School – Barker comes to Fontana Unified after working in Menifee Union School District. He holds a bachelor’s in sociology-administrative studies from University of California, Riverside, a teaching credential from California State San Bernardino, and a master’s in educational leadership and administrative credential from the University of Redlands.

Gerald Mullins, Oak Park Elementary School – Mullins, a Fontana native, has been a FUSD teacher and administrator since 1994. He earned his bachelor’s in education from Cal Poly Pomona and received his teaching credential and master’s in educational administration from Cal State San Bernardino.

Sheri Cole, North Tamarind Elementary School – Cole brings 20 years of teaching and administration experience to Fontana Unified after serving in Baldwin Park, Burbank, Palmdale, Glendora and Lancaster. She holds a bachelor’s in liberal studies from Azusa Pacific University and a master’s in educational leadership from Chapman University.

Jawad Pearson, Porter Elementary School – Pearson is new to the District, with 15 years of education experience and recently serving as a principal for Romoland School District. He holds a bachelor’s in sociology from the University of Kansas, a master’s in elementary education from the University of Phoenix, a master’s in K-12 public school administration from National University and received his K-6 elementary education teaching credential from University of Phoenix.

“We are proud to welcome our newest administrators and principals to the District and to congratulate members of the Fontana Unified family as they take on new positions,” FUSD Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “Each new leader brings years of valuable expertise that will help us build on our past successes while guiding our District into an even brighter future.”