District News

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

After 30 years of service and learning in this district, I am writing to share that I have decided to retire at the conclusion of this school year.

My history here runs deep. As a student at Cherry Lane Elementary (now CSI) and Hamilton Elementary (now Home Depot), I never could have imagined that my path would lead me back to this district—first as a substitute teacher, then through the ranks of teaching, site leadership, department administration, and finally as your Superintendent. I have truly enjoyed every phase of this journey; each role has been a gift.

The past few years have brought changes for several of my loved ones that have caused me to reflect deeply on the fact that time is never guaranteed. This realization has led me to prioritize being present for those who mean the most to me. While I will always be available for a chat or a cup of coffee with my colleagues, I am looking forward to the next chapter. Joe and I are particularly excited to travel more—especially during those midweek windows when flights are cheaper!

The Governing Board is fully committed to ensuring continuous, stable leadership for the district and will announce the transition plan in the near future. My priority over the coming months is to ensure a seamless transition so that the incredible momentum we’ve built together continues without interruption.

I am immensely proud of the people and the work in this district. You make this a world-class place to learn and an inspiring place to work. It has been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside you.

With deep appreciation,

Shelly 

And the winner is…..Cheesy Pasta (a paccheri pasta dish) from the Rolling Hills Middle School team composed of Amy, Liya, and Serena.

Student culinary teams from the Expanded Learning programs at Campbell School of Innovation (CSI), Monroe Middle School, Rolling Hills Middle School, and Sherman Oaks Dual Language Immersion School competed April 1, 2026 in the fifth annual Campbell Union School District (CUSD) Lunchroom Cook-off. 

Not only did the team from Rolling Hills Middle School earn a trophy and bragging rights as the defending champion, but their winning recipe will be added to the school lunch menu.

Leading up to the competition, students representing their school and Expanded Learning program learned about nutrition, food handling and safety, and basic culinary techniques. Additionally, they spent time putting together presentations and practicing their public speaking and presentation skills. The competition was judged by Superintendent, Dr. Viramontez; Board President, William Slade; former Le Cordon Bleu instructor, The International Culinary Center Coordinator, and season three Chopped winner, Chef Marc Pavlovic; and student representatives from Monroe, Sherman Oaks and CSI.

Past winners have included:

2022 - Spicy Chicken Ramen - Monroe Middle School

2023 - Tortas de Asada - Sherman Oaks

2024 - Enchiladas Verdes - Sherman Oaks

2025 - Pesto Pasta - Rolling Hills Middle School

The paccheri pasta dish included all five main food groups: dairy (cheese and heavy whipping cream), protein (Italian sausage), fruits (tomatoes), vegetables (onion, garlic, and fennel), and grains (paccheri pasta). The students also had to ensure the recipes met the required nutritional guidelines and limitations on sodium and fats. When asked how the team decided on a name for their dish, with a giggle they told the story of how one iteration of the dish ended up with more cheese than the recipe originally called for, “it was an accident and that became really popular, so we kept it”, noted the young chefs.

The livestream from the Lunchroom Cook-off may be viewed at https://youtu.be/KTXeGjOhu_M 

Meet Trustree, Area 5, Sam Krow-Lucal. Krow-Lucal, a proud Capri parent and longtime Campbell resident, took the oath of office on March 12, 2026. Running for the Campbell Union School Board had been something Krow-Lucal had been considering for a long time and with the encouragement of his friends decided to take action upon the retirement of seasoned trustee Danielle M.S. Cohen.

When asked what he viewed as Campbell Union School District’s greatest strength, Krow-Lucal had no hesitation in his response - stability. “People are proud of what we (CUSD) are doing,” Krow-Lucal commented. “Having a superintendent who has been in the role for ten years and having board members that stay for multiple terms speaks to the culture of the district.”

He specifically named the continuous improvement work that the district is engaged in as an additional district strength. “Having feedback loops and being conscious of how we can move the district forward is something that sets us up for success long term. Having that culture of evaluation and introspection is very important. We have it. I think it is going to continue to benefit us.”

When asked how he would define student success, Krow-Lucal was quick to note that student success is more than a test score, “It’s that growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. It is also enjoying that growth and wanting to continue it.”

Fun facts about Trustee Krow-Lucal

• He is an avid sports fan. He played soccer in college and for a semi-pro team upon graduation.
• Pablo Torre Finds Out is his favorite podcast.
• His favorite school lunch was hamburgers.
• Favorite teacher was his fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Porter.
• His favorite subjects in school were history and math. He has a degree in history.
• The one word he uses to describe his leadership style - supportive.