Dr. Alfonso Jimenez leaving the SAUSD to become the Superintendent of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

Congratulations to Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Alfonso Jimenez for his recent appointment as Superintendent of Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD).

Dr. Jimenez joined Santa Ana Unified School District in 2016 when he was appointed assistant superintendent of K-12 Teaching and Learning. Later in 2018, he was named deputy superintendent of educational services.

During Dr. Jimenez’s time at the district, SAUSD has improved its graduation rates, invested in Career Technical Education pathways, earned CORE District honors for closing the achievement gap, and expanded pre-kindergarten programs.

“Leaving SAUSD feels bittersweet. Santa Ana has felt like home. We are a large district, but it feels like we are all a close family,” he said.

Dr. Jimenez fondly recalls, soon after coming on board with SAUSD, the day he attended the District’s annual School Choice Fair in Downtown Santa Ana. It was a great moment for him meeting and getting to know the District’s leaders on a more personal level. He felt welcomed, he felt at home. He knew SAUSD was the best place for him.

When asked what he will miss most about working at SAUSD, he said, “My team, my colleagues, who I work with day in and day out. We formed strong relationships, in an environment that’s 100% about serving students and changing lives. We all have the same commitment, goal, and purpose.”

Prior to his service in SAUSD, Dr. Jimenez served as an elementary teacher for Long Beach Unified School District; assistant principal for Bellflower Unified School District; K-12 principal for Fullerton School District; director of curriculum and instruction for Anaheim City School District; and director of elementary education K-8, and director of instructional services K-12 at Lynwood Unified School District.

Before starting his new role as superintendent of HLPUSD, he plans on taking some time off to spend with family to relax and rejuvenate before he hits the ground running July 1.

Dr. Jimenez is looking forward to advancing, creating, and building upon the culture that exists in HLPUSD with his skills to create something amazing. “That’s my drive, to help system leaders to innovate and improve the system. Working in an environment that builds on the relationships. Everything is for the students, so they are prepared for college and career,” he said.

Dr. Jimenez made a lasting impact at SAUSD. He will be dearly missed. His message to the SAUSD community during these unprecedented times is to “Stay the course, stay strong, and continue success”.

His last day at SAUSD is on Friday, June 12.