FONTANA, CA – Committed to providing equity in education while instilling a culture that promotes life-long learners, Fontana Unified Superintendent Randal S. Bassett has announced the names of five administrators who have been appointed to new positions within the District.

Three of the administrators are principals who will move to new schools. One has been promoted to principal at his current school and one will move from the principal’s desk to the District office.

“We are delighted to have such accomplished and brilliant leaders overseeing the administration of our schools,” Bassett said. “As we continue to grow our programs and curriculum to fit the needs of our students and community, we have great expectations and the right personnel to accomplish our goals.”

Maribel Lopez-Tyus will step away as principal of Dolores Huerta International Academy (DHIA) to help Fontana grow its Dual Immersion and Global Competencies model across the District. Under Lopez-Tyus’ leadership, DHIA became Fontana’s first Dual Immersion school.

“As a first-generation English learner, I am thrilled to bring my experience and perspective to the Fontana community,” Lopez-Tyus said. “I fell in love with education while in college and it has become my dream job and wonderful career.”

Sandra Loudermilk will become Dolores Huerta International Academy’s new top administrator. Loudermilk began her educational career as a bilingual aide in Fontana Unified in 1990. She brings 18 years of teaching and administrative experience to her new site. Loudermilk, an experienced and certified bilingual educator, has taught Latino family literacy courses and served as an elementary school teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and principal in Fontana Unified and San Bernardino County schools.

“I became an educator because of the amazing teachers and principal at Locust Elementary, where I began my educational career,” Loudermilk said. “They reminded me of my elementary school teacher who challenged me to go beyond grade level expectations.”

Robert Soriano will move into the top spot at Date Elementary after three years as assistant principal. Since joining Fontana Unified in 2006, Soriano has taught at South Tamarind and Ted J. Porter elementary schools and served as a Teacher on Special Assignment for English language learners.

“I am very excited to begin my next step as principal of Date Elementary,” Soriano said. “As a Fontana resident and parent, I am honored to lead the next generation of scholars through their formative academic years.”

Anne-Marie Cabrales will be the new principal of Wayne Ruble Middle School after seven years at the helm of Dorothy Grant Innovations Academy, where she collaborated with staff to build one of the first technology immersion elementary sites in the Inland Empire.

“I was born into a family of educators, so I guess you could say teaching is in my blood,” Cabrales said. “I love being a teacher and still keep in touch with many of my former students, many of whom are getting ready to graduate from college themselves.”

Cabrales replaces Caroline Labonte, who will become principal of Jurupa Hills High School. Labonte has been at Fontana Unified since 1995, working as an elementary school teacher, a Teacher on Special Assignment and as assistant principal before moving to Wayne Ruble in 2014. Under Labonte’s leadership, Wayne Ruble Middle School was named a 2019 Schools to Watch, honoring the school’s success in boosting student achievement, improving socio-emotional wellness and creating a positive campus culture.

“My original career track was to be a nurse, but I later changed my major to education after tutoring a group of fourth-graders,” Labonte said. “I am eager to carry on the programs and traditions at Jurupa Hills, while planning for the future success of its students.”