Oak Park Unified School District Appoints Anais Wenn As Superintendent

Anais Wenn as SuperintendentPhoto byOak Park Unified School District

Oak Park, CA - The Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Anais Wenn as the new Superintendent, effective July 1, 2024. In collaboration with Leadership Associates, the Board reviewed 27 highly qualified applicants from diverse experiences and educational backgrounds before unanimously selecting Mrs. Wenn as the ideal candidate to serve as its next Superintendent.

Currently, Mrs. Wenn is the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services at La Cañada Unified School District (LCUSD), where she has led the instructional programs of the district for the past 11 years. Before taking on this role in 2013, Mrs. Wenn was the principal of Palm Crest Elementary and La Cañada High School 7/8. Mrs. Wenn has spent her 33-year career in public education, including roles as a classroom teacher, teacher specialist, and assistant principal for the Glendale Unified School District before coming to LCUSD in 2006. Mrs. Wenn holds a Master's and Administrative Credential in Educational Leadership.

Under Mrs. Wenn's guidance, the La Cañada Unified School District has not only achieved academic excellence but also fostered strong community partnerships. Her visionary approach and extensive experience in a district of similar size and academic excellence make her the ideal candidate to lead OPUSD, promising a future of collaboration and innovation.

Raised in Armenia and immigrating to the United States at 18, Mrs. Wenn's journey in education began as a bilingual educational assistant. Her parents had instilled in her a deep belief that education was the key to success, and she seized the opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream of changing lives through education.

Mrs. Wenn is an authentic and transformational leader with a relentless belief that all students can learn and thrive. Her passion has always been to increase the academic achievement of all students while prioritizing their safety, health, and happiness in their learning environment. She has also demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting and empowering teachers and staff, building an organization focused on developing the minds of children to become curious learners, productive citizens, and future leaders.

"Mrs. Wenn's experience, qualifications, and values aligned powerfully with the district's mission and core values," said Denise Helfstein, president of the OPUSD Board of Education. “She brings a wealth of relevant professional experience and knows what our students need to thrive and compete in today's world. Her educational leadership and dedication to student academic success for all students are impressive. As an experienced administrator who has driven academic excellence and well-rounded extracurricular programs, she has the expertise to harness new opportunities, engage the community, and steer our district toward new heights of excellence and innovative practices.”

Wendy Sinnette, Superintendent of La Cañada Unified, acknowledged her profound impact: "Anais is truly an exceptional leader, educator, administrator, colleague, and friend. She will be an outstanding Superintendent. The La Cañada Unified School District commends and thanks her for her exemplary and transformative 18 years of service as both an elementary and secondary principal and then as the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. LCUSD wishes her every success in her new role, and I look forward to our continued relationship as superintendent colleagues.”

Mrs. Wenn is excited to join the Oak Park community and plans to leverage collective strengths to enrich the educational experience for every student. She looks forward to discovering the community's aspirations for its schools and leading the way toward excellence and innovation, ensuring the diverse needs of all students are met. "It is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that I accept the position of Superintendent at Oak Park Unified School District," expressed Mrs. Wenn. "I am confident that through a collective effort and an unwavering commitment to the success of our students, we will continue to build on the tradition of excellence that defines the Oak Park Unified School District.”

The Board of Trustees extends heartfelt thanks to our staff, students, parents, and community members for their invaluable input through focus groups and surveys. This collective input was crucial in defining the comprehensive profile for our next Superintendent, ensuring the selection of a leader like Mrs. Wenn, who is devoted to academic success and excellence and the holistic development and well-being of our students and the community for the long term.

Over the next several months, Mrs. Wenn will work closely with the Board, retiring Superintendent Davis, and staff to ensure a smooth transition. The district will provide opportunities for the OPUSD community to meet Mrs. Wenn before and during the 2024-2025 school year.

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