The Peoria Unified Governing Board approved the following new administrative appointments for the 2021-22 school year at the April 8 board meeting.

Barb Coakley, Career and Technical Education. She replaces Patti Beltram who has taken a position out of state. Mrs. Coakley has been with the district since 2002, serving as a substitute teacher, a math and business teacher, an assistant principal, and most recently the director of the award-winning MET Professional Academy. Mrs. Coakley received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marketing and two Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix.

Lori Garcia, Director of Special Education. She replaces Holly Harper, who retired. Ms. Garcia has served the district as a special education coordinator since 2020. She came to Peoria Unified from the Alhambra School District where she held the role of Director of Exceptional Student Services. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies and two Master’s degrees in Elementary Teacher Education and Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix.

Ted Chiarello, Director of Business Services. He fills a position that has been vacant for the 2020-21 school year. Mr. Chiarello re-joins the district from the Cave Creek Unified School District where he held the role of Director of Finance. Prior to that, he served as Peoria Unified’s internal auditor for four years. He holds an Associate’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Science in Business Management from Arizona State University.

Mark Harman, principal of Alta Loma Elementary School. He replaces Connie Witte who retired. Mr. Harman has been with Peoria Unified since 2007, serving as a special education teacher, and most recently, an assistant principal at Alta Loma. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Carlos Perez, principal at Country Meadows Elementary School. He replaced Terry Balliet who retired. Mr. Perez will join Peoria Unified from the Anaheim Elementary School District as principal of James Guinn Elementary School. Prior to his principal appointment in Anaheim, Mr. Perez served as an assistant principal in several schools in the Anaheim Union High School District. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Humanities from the University of California. Mr. Perez earned his Master’s of Science degree in Administration from Pepperdine University and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California.

Erin Gonzales, principal at Desert Valley Elementary School. She replaces Tonja Neve who is moving to the east coast with her family. Ms. Gonzales has been with Peoria Unified since 2004, serving as a fourth-grade teacher, a curriculum specialist, an instructional coach, a Title I Coordinator and most recently, a Teacher on Assignment in a leadership role at Cheyenne Elementary School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.

Marieka Michaud, principal at Ira A. Murphy Elementary School. She replaces Aubree Mills who will be the new principal at Foothills Elementary. Mrs. Michaud joins Peoria Unified from the Tolleson Elementary School District, where she serves as an assistant principal. She previously held the position of Dean of Students, Data Specialist and an elementary school teacher. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Rebecca Hiner, principal at Pioneer Elementary School. She replaces David Snyder who retired. Ms. Hiner was hired in 2006 as a teacher at Pioneer Elementary School and has served other roles including 21st Century Community Learning Center Coordinator and Title 1 Interventionist. In 2018, she was appointed as the Assistant Principal at Pioneer. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Master of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix. She received another Master of Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.