School Board Appoints New District Administrators

Newark Unified School District has hired two new individuals to take on administrative roles at the district level.

The board approved the appointments of Chief Business Official Elaine Neilsen and Director of Special Education Elena Watson at a special board meeting on Aug. 2.

Nielsen’s contract was approved during the meeting’s public session with four "yes" votes. Board member Nancy Thomas was not present for the meeting, and Board Vice President Ray Rodriguez was present via teleconference.

Neilsen’s contract is for two years with an annual salary of $155,000, according to Human Resources Senior Director Tim Erwin.

Neilsen replaces , who took a position with Vacaville Unified School District. Shields’ salary in 2010-11 totaled $165,000, Erwin said.

Superintendent Dave Marken said he was excited to welcome both of the new district administrators, saying that both women will be “outstanding” additions to the district’s management team.

Neilsen most recently worked as chief business official for Emery Unified School District in Emeryville and was once director of fiscal services for Dublin Unified School District.

Newark is familiar territory for Neilsen. She and her family once lived here and her son attended Newark schools for at least three years. She said she credits his success in school to the foundation he received at Newark Unified.

 “I’m very excited to be here in Newark. I’m looking forward to it,” Neilsen said. “I enjoy being a CBO. This will be my fourth CBO [position] in 20 years, and I’m looking forward to bringing [in my] expertise.”

Watson joins Newark Unified School District from Alisal Union School District in Salinas, where she holds the position of director of special education.

Her salary was still under negotiation as of last week, according to Erwin.

Watson said she is eager to begin working in the district.

“We have a lot of exciting and hard work ahead of us. Thank you for this incredible honor. I look forward to serving you and your families in the course of Newark Unified,” Watson said.

On the agenda for the board’s Aug. 9 meeting is an item on more employee appointments and hiring, to be discussed in session 

Erwin said interviews were held last week and continue today for two administrative positions at the secondary level.

The district is currently looking for a principal of the , who will succeed the , and for an assistant principal of to replace Jonathan Ferrer, who was in Pacifica.