Gail Pinsker, a long-time Santa Clarita Valley resident and education advocate, has been named community liaison officer for the Wm. S. Hart Union High School District. The appointment was approved by the district Governing Board at its Wednesday evening meeting and is effective immediately.

Pinsker replaces Pat Willett, who has held the position since it was created nine years ago, and who recently retired. The two have worked together previously as board members of the SCV Education Foundation and on the campaigns for the Hart District Measure V and SA construction bond campaigns.

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Willett commented that the job has grown and changed with the district over the last decade.

“When I came here, the job involved writing press releases and developing relationships with the media,” she said. “Now, the position involves being the first contact for parents with boundary issues or newcomers looking for the best experience for their children; handling emergencies and media access, disbursing information about the battery of tests given to district students and anything telling the Hart District story.”

Pinsker becomes the point person for a variety of things, from the promotion of the latest wave of culinary students, keeper of the calendar for the schools, a cheerleader for the award-winning robotics team to being the face of the district when adversity intrudes into the school day.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to serve the district in this capacity,” she said. “I’m looking forward to communicating all the news and issues related to state and national education and how they can impact Hart families and the Santa Clarita community.”

Pinsker brings 20 years of professional experience to the district, including a 15-year stint as the vice president of marketing for Valencia Bank & Trust. She is currently certified as a substitute teacher for the Hart District. In the community, she serves on the Executive Board of the SCV Council PTA and is active with the SCV Chamber of Commerce and Valley Industrial Association.

She has been an active Hart District parent since 2000 and has served in leadership roles with both the Rio Norte Parent/Teacher/Student Association and Valencia High School’s Parent Advisory Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge, with an emphasis in public relations and marketing.

For the last 16 years, Pinsker has worked from home, but with the last of her three children working their way through Valencia High, she says the timing is perfect.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the Valencia High morning carpool drop-off before I go to work,” she said. “This job is the perfect culmination of my education and professional experience and community activism.”

Willett offered her replacement some positive reinforcement.

“I know Gail has education at h(e)art – with an ‘e’.”