June 23, 2024
By Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
WALNUT, CA—The Walnut Valley USD Board of Trustees appointed three administrative leaders to restructure the Executive Cabinet during the June 12 meeting.
Education leader Dr. Matthew Torres has been approved as Deputy Superintendent of Business Services. With 27 years of extensive experience as a leader in Business Services in two different districts and his prior experience as a classroom teacher, Dr. Torres is well-equipped to influence all areas of the organization in his new role. Since 2018, he has served in Walnut Valley as assistant superintendent of Business Services. Prior to that, he successfully led the team in Fruitvale School District in Kern County for 13 years as assistant superintendent of business services and a director in the educational services division. Dr. Torres has also served as adjunct professor in a variety of areas in fiscal analysis at California State University, Fresno, California State University, Bakersfield, and Point Loma Nazarene University. Prior to joining the Fiscal Division, he was an elementary teacher for eight years. Dr. Torres holds a bachelor of arts from Pepperdine University, master’s degree in education leadership from University of La Verne, doctoral degree in educational leadership at University of Southern California, and is a certified chief business official from the California Association of School Business Officials.
Dr. Jeanette Koh brings 32 years of experience to her new post as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. Dr. Koh has dedicated more than 28 years to Walnut Valley in various capacities, including elementary teacher, middle school assistant principal, elementary school principal, and most recently, executive director of educational services. Additionally, she has been instrumental in leading certified Project GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) training across the K-12 District. She earned the profession’s highest mark of achievement as a National Board Certified Teacher and has developed curriculum for the Orange County Department of Education. Dr. Koh earned a bachelor’s degree in English from University of California Los Angeles, master’s degree in Education from Claremont Graduate University and doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from University of La Verne.
Veteran educator Dr. Matthew Witmer brings 28 years of experience to the new position of Chief Operating Officer of the School District. Dr. Witmer has served in Walnut Valley for nearly 11 years in various roles including deputy superintendent of human resources and deputy superintendent of educational services. Prior to that, he served as director of educational services in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Additionally, Dr. Witmer is an adjunct professor of educational leadership at the University of California, Irvine Extension, and Azusa Pacific University. Prior to that, he worked as an associate professor, director, interim program director, principal, assistant principal, and teacher. Dr. Witmer received a bachelor’s degree from Vanguard University, master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, and doctoral degree in educational leadership from Azusa Pacific University.
These positions will take effect on July 1.
Shown:
Kids First! Educational leaders Dr. Matt Witmer, Dr. Jeanette Koh, and Dr. Matt Torres will take on new key roles beginning July 1.