The La Cañada Unified School District announced on April 16 that Associate Superintendent of Educational Services Anais Wenn will leave LCUSD in June, as she prepares to take the role of superintendent at Oak Park Unified School District in Ventura County, effective July 1.
Wenn joined LCUSD in 2006 as principal at Palm Crest Elementary School, and later became principal at LCHS 7/8. She has led LCUSD’s Educational Services department since 2013. Her current role puts her at the center of curriculum and instruction, the English language development program, special education and gifted and talented education (GATE), as well as providing guidance and support to the principals at each school site.
Superintendent Wendy Sinnette shared the news with the LCUSD Governing Board upon notification, and then with the administrative staff shortly before the public announcement, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the transition. Sinnette called Wenn “an exceptional leader, educator, administrator, colleague and friend.”
“We will miss her greatly but know that she will be an outstanding superintendent,” said Sinnette. “The La Cañada Unified School District commends and thanks her for her exemplary and transformative 18 years of service and leadership. We wish her every success in her new role, and I look forward to our continued relationship as superintendent colleagues.”
LCUSD Governing Board President Josh Epstein shared his thoughts regarding Wenn’s announcement, saying it is hard to imagine the district without her, but that he knows she will do great work at Oak Park Unified.
“Her knowledge, her thoughtfulness and her kindness will be greatly missed by everyone,” said Epstein. “We cannot thank Anais enough for all she has done for the district and all the ways she has supported our children. … The Governing Board wishes her nothing but the best in her new role.”
Wenn was selected by Oak Park’s Board of Education out of a competitive pool of 27 applicants.
“Mrs. Wenn’s experience, qualifications and values aligned powerfully with the district’s mission and core values,” said Denise Helfstein, president of the OPUSD Board. “Her educational leadership and dedication to student academic success for all students are impressive.”
Wenn has spent her 33-year career in public education, including roles as a classroom teacher, teacher specialist and assistant principal for the Glendale Unified School District before coming to LCUSD in 2006. Her tenure with LCUSD has provided her the opportunity to see the district from all sides — including as a parent of two LCHS graduates — and build relationships with teachers, staff, students and families.
As she prepares to make the transition to her new role, she acknowledges that there is still much work to be done in her current position for the remainder of the school year, noting she will end the year “strong.”
First published in the May 2 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
