June 22, 2023
By Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
WALNUT, CA—Walnut Valley USD Board of Trustees appointed three top administrative positions during the June 21 meeting.
Susan Ibarra has been named the new Director of Fiscal Services.
Ibarra brings 19 years of experience in public school accounting and finance to her new position.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with such a respected and successful District,” she said.
“I am looking forward to contributing to the Business and Fiscal Teams’ success and the District's fiscal stability. Thank you for entrusting me with this opportunity!”
For the past two years, Ibarra served as assistant superintendent of business services in the Lennox School District.
Prior to that, she was director of fiscal services, accounting supervisor, and account clerk in the Baldwin Park USD since 2004
She holds a master’s degree from California State University, Northridge and bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
She lives in La Puente with husband, Alberto, and their two daughters who are both in grad school pursuing careers as speech pathologists.
Ibarra will officially begin duties on July 1, and will be working with Director Celia Moynihan, who will be retiring in December.
In addition, two familiar faces will be coming home to Walnut Valley in new roles.
Veteran educator David Hong has been approved as the new Principal at Diamond Bar High School.
Hong brings 33 years of experience back to Diamond Bar High, where he has served as assistant principal, instructional dean, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, and Chemistry teacher. He also advised and coached the school’s Science Club, Science Bowl, Solar Boat and golf teams.
He will become the sixth Brahma leader in the premier school’s 41-year history.
Hong spent the past four years working for the College Board Director of Environmental Science.
He also served as assistant principal at Monrovia High School.
Hong said he is dedicated to maintaining the school’s rich history and tradition of excellence.
“I'm excited to return to serve the students and staff of Diamond Bar High School,” said the school’s new leader.
“My participation in the activities, academics, athletics, and arts programs at Diamond Bar High School made me the educator I am today, and I’m excited to be back to lead our school to greater heights.”
During his tenure at DBHS, he was recognized in a variety of ways including being named Teacher of the Year and receiving the Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara. He was also named as the Coach of the Year by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
Hong received his bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University and master’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles.
He lives in La Habra with his wife, Beverly, their corgi, Ruby, and tortoise, Cooper.
Hong succeeds Dr. Reuben Jones who has accepted the position of Director of Student Support Services in the Monrovia Unified School District.
He will begin duties at Diamond Bar High School in early July.
Jennifer Veneracion was appointed the new Principal at Cyrus J. Morris Elementary School.
She served for 17 years as the school’s Title 1 Specialist and teacher.
“CJ Morris holds a special place in my heart and I am elated to come back home to serve and lead in the community I love!” she said.
In addition, she coordinated the Walnut Valley USD Summer School Program.
Last year, she was the assistant principal at Terra Vista Elementary in the Etiwanda School District.
Veneracion holds a master’s degree from National University and bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic University, Pomona.
She lives in Pomona with husband, Ramil, a Walnut Valley physical education teacher and three children who attend Walnut Valley schools.
Veneracion succeeds Kelly Morris who has relocated to Georgia to be with family.
She will begin duties on July 1.
Shown:
Trustees appointed three key administrators during the June 21 meeting.
Welcome to the Team! The Board of Trustees approved Susan Ibarra as the new Director of Fiscal Services during the June 21 meeting.
Welcome Home! Educational leader David Hong has been appointed as the new Principal at Diamond Bar High School.
Welcome Back! Jennifer Veneracion was appointed the new Principal at Cyrus J. Morris Elementary School.