Los Banos Unified board hires Dr. Brie Vala as district superintendent

The Los Banos Unified School District Board of Trustees approved a contract to employ Dr. Brie Vala as the district’s next superintendent after moving the item to the start of new business so she could depart early.

During roll-call voting the trustees recorded affirmative votes to approve the employment contract. After the vote Dr. Vala stepped to the podium to sign the contract and thanked interim superintendent Dr. Richie and district staff for keeping operations running: “I’m incredibly honored and immense thanks to you, Dr. Richie, for everything that you are doing on top of your already immense job to keep the school district afloat,” she said.

Board members said the contract vote concluded a months-long superintendent search. Trustees noted the process involved an extensive interview day with five finalists and described a consensus-based selection process. Board President Pereira moved the agenda change earlier in the meeting so the board could act before Dr. Vala left town.

The board took the vote by roll call because one trustee, Miss Smith, participated remotely. Following the vote, the trustees invited Dr. Vala to sign the contract at the dais and offered well-wishes for her travel.

The board did not discuss salary or the contract’s detailed provisions during open session. The meeting record shows the motion to approve the contract, the roll-call affirmation, and Dr. Vala’s brief comments of appreciation as the public record of the action.

The board will begin working with the superintendent’s office on next steps for transition and announced no further board action on the hire at that meeting.