Human Resources
Welcome to the Newark Unified School District’s Human Resource Department web page.
Newark Unified is made up nearly 600 employees. The goal of our department is to provide professional quality assistance to our employees and those seeking employment.
Whether you are a current employee or a potential employee in these pages you will find useful information. If you do not find what you are looking for, or if you desire additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact anyone of us.
Cathreene Ingham-Watters, Executive Director of Human Resources
Cathreene brings 21 years of experience and dedication to the Newark community. She has worked in NUSD since 2000: 13 years as a teacher at Bunker Elementary and the past eight years as principal at Musick and Milani/Birch Grove Intermediate School. As a site leader, Ingham-Watters led the merger of two elementary schools, implemented Professional Learning Communities, and initiated Project-Based Learning (PBL), with her site holding the honor of being the only PBL school in NUSD. In her preparation for this position, Ingham-Watters completed extensive professional development relevant to school personnel administration. This includes a year-long institute with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), a negotiators’ symposium, and related field experience around hiring/retention of staff, negotiations, evaluations, and investigations. In addition, she has served on various committees such as the STAR Academy Design Team, the Makerspace Task Force, and the LCAP Advisory Committee. Ingham-Watters most recently served as the President of the Newark Management Association (NEWMA). The Executive Director of Human Resources is responsible for the overall operation of the Human Resources Department, affirmative action and sexual harassment officer, uniform complaint officer, contract management, grievances, collective bargaining, employee discipline, new employee recruitment and selection, new teacher training, peer assistance and review, and the Student-Teacher program.
Laura Johnson, Administrative Assistant
Oversees and coordinates all generalized Human Resource Office functions; serves as Director’s primary assistant; prepares Board recommendations; coordinates all certificated and management interviews; manages applicant files.
Julie Radcliffe, Certificated HR Manager
Oversees office functions relating to certificated employees: personnel tracking; fingerprinting and tuberculin testing; salary placement, advancement and professional growth; evaluation cycles; credential monitoring and renewal; new employee processing; personnel files; CBEDS/CSIS Coordinator; coaches.
Debbie Romero, Classified HR Manager
Oversees office functions relating to classified employees: personnel tracking; fingerprinting and tuberculin testing; salary placement, advancement and professional growth; classification / reclassification; evaluation cycles; new employee processing; personnel files; workers compensation administration; coordinates all classified interviews.
Laily Haidarian, Substitute Placement Clerk
Coordinates placement of certificated and classified substitute employees; tracks employee attendance, including leaves and absences; manages Subfinder system.
