Superintendent's Office

Tracey Vackar has been a dedicated leader in public education for over 34 years, championing student success and community prosperity. With a proven track record in fiscal budget restructuring and implementing strategic plans to support public education, she has extensive experience in school business operations, legislative advocacy, economic
development, insurance and safety programs, child nutrition, technology infrastructure, and capital projects. She is very honored to serve as Superintendent of Newark Unified School District, where under her leadership the district restructured a $14 million structural
deficit, passed a $205 million facility school bond, and supported dedicated teachers in raising student academic success.
Leadership Philosophy

Tracey recognizes the strength that comes from developing the leader in everyone associated with public schools. She credits her meaningful beginnings as a parent in the PTA, where her desire for safe and quality schools for her own children sparked a lifelong
commitment to service. That foundation continues to guide her mission to inspire and support the next generation of educational leaders. Today, she extends this mission as an adjunct faculty member at California State University, San Bernardino, mentoring educators to take on leadership roles with integrity and vision.

Governance & Service
Tracey’s commitment to governance is demonstrated through her 30 years of elected service as a school board trustee. She retired in December 2022 after eight years with the Riverside Community College District and 22 years with the Moreno Valley Unified School
District. She has served on numerous committees with ACSA, CASBO, PTA, WASC, and various nonprofit organizations, bringing her expertise and collaborative spirit to advance student-centered policies and programs.

Community & Workforce Development
Looking toward the future, Tracey partners with innovative industries on workforce development initiatives, advocating for educational programs that strengthen technological advancement and foster economic growth. She actively volunteers her time to bridge opportunities, leverage resources, and promote prosperity that enhances the quality of life
for all community members.

Specialties & Expertise
 California Chief Business Official Certification
 Economic Development
 Innovative and Organizational Leadership
 Fiscal Accountability & Budget Restructuring

 Management Practices
 Facilities Planning & Capital Projects
 Career and Technical Education Instruction/Design
 Government Relations & Legislative Advocacy
 Grant Writing & Curriculum Design
 Shared Governance
 Town Hall & Community Engagement
 Accreditation & Industry Certifications
 Pre-apprenticeship/Apprenticeship Models
 Contract Negotiations
 Nonprofits and Foundations
 Student Advocacy

Karen Allard brings over twenty-five years of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, principal and district office administrator to Newark Unified School District.    

For the past four years, Karen served as the Director of Professional Learning for the Santa Clara Unified School District.  In this position she led a new district department aligned with the district’s vision and strategic plans to engage certificated and classified employees in continuous improvement and designed multi professional learning pathways to foster career development opportunities.     

Prior to her appointment at Santa Clara Unified, she worked at Franklin - McKinley School District as the Director of Curriculum of Instruction for six years.  During her tenure at FMSD, she worked collaboratively with colleagues to positively impact student achievement by focusing on a K-8 literacy initiative and a multi-year comprehensive plan to increase the academic performance of a culturally diverse student population.   

Before becoming a district office administrator, Karen positively changed two struggling campuses in the Moreland School District as a site administrator.  One elementary school exited Program Improvement Year 4 within a three year period and a comprehensive middle campus dramatically increased student performance by implementing Professional Learning Communities that operated with a sense of moral authority and responsibility for making a difference in the lives of adolescents.  Both sites received local and State recognition including the National School Boards Association Magma Award, Glenn W. Hoffman Award, California Distinguished School Award and California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award. 

During her teaching career, she enjoyed being a National trainer for Dr. Spencer Kagan and led professional learning workshops and seminars based on cooperative learning and the multiple intelligences across the United States.   She coached teachers to create positive and supportive learning environments that increased student engagement while developing their higher-level thinking, oral communication and leadership skills.   

Karen is a proud mother of two children, Linzey 21 and Zach 18 and has been married to her husband, Matt for 24 years.  She enjoys spending time with family, exercising, walking her dogs, and spending time at the beach.
 

Victoria Knutson is a seasoned educational leader with nearly two decades of experience in public school finance, business services, and district operations. She brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach to school business leadership, grounded in collaboration and fiscal
responsibility. Prior to joining Newark Unified School District, Victoria served as the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services / Chief Business Officer for the Evergreen School District in Santa Clara County, where she oversaw finance, budgeting, payroll, facilities, transportation,
food services, bond programs, and other essential operational functions that directly supported schools and students.

Victoria’s career in education finance includes leadership roles as Director of Fiscal Services at Morgan Hill Unified School District, along with positions in Hollister School District, San Leandro Unified School District, and Salinas City Elementary School District. Throughout her
career, she has managed complex General Fund budgets exceeding $150 million, along with additional special and restricted funds, and has led major initiatives such as voter-approved bond programs focused on technology, safety, and long-term district sustainability.

Before transitioning into public education, Victoria spent several years in the private banking industry, where she developed a strong foundation in financial analysis, customer service, and fiscal stewardship. This experience continues to inform her practical, solutions-oriented approach to school business operations and decision-making.

Victoria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is a Certified Chief Business Official (CBO) through the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) and a graduate of the Fiscal Crisis
& Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) CBO Mentor Program.

A central focus of Victoria’s work is strengthening internal controls and improving districtwide processes. She is passionate about building clear, consistent systems that promote accountability while also making school business operations more streamlined, transparent, and easier to
understand. By simplifying complex financial and operational processes, she helps ensure that school sites, departments, and stakeholders feel informed, supported, and confident in navigating district systems.

Victoria’s leadership has been recognized through prestigious honors, including the CASBO Magnificent Seven Award for Excellence in Financial Services and the Golden Bell Award for Local Control Accountability Plans. Her commitment to long-term fiscal sustainability has also
resulted in top-tier credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P Global.

Known for her collaborative and people-centered leadership style, Victoria values clear communication, strong systems, and meaningful relationships. She thrives in working alongside staff, community members, and governing boards to ensure responsible, transparent fiscal
management—so educators can stay focused on what matters most: student learning and success.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Victoria remains deeply connected to the communities she serves and has family living locally. She is a proud mother of two school-aged boys who keep her busy. Watching them learn, grow, and navigate their own educational journeys serves as a constant reminder of why she is dedicated to public education and inspires her commitment to ensuring that all students have access to safe, supportive, and well-resourced schools.

Mike Williams is an accomplished and experienced Human Resources Administrator with a strong track record of improving employee recruitment, retention, and development through the implementation of strategic systems that align with district-wide goals. With over seven years of leadership as a Director of Human Resources, Mike brings deep expertise in personnel management, organizational development, and collaborative problem-solving. His work is grounded in the belief that strong relationships and well-designed systems are the foundation of an effective HR department and a successful school district.

Before transitioning to district leadership, Mike served as a teacher, middle and high school vice principal, and high school principal, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape from the classroom to the district office. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Chico State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University. Throughout his career, Mike has remained committed to building trust, fostering professional growth, and developing infrastructure that supports both staff and students across all levels of the organization.
 

Toya Lemus is a dedicated and long-serving member of the Newark Unified School District, bringing two decades of experience and commitment to the community. A proud product of the district, Toya attended Newark Junior High and graduated from Newark Memorial High School. She went on to earn her Degree in Liberal Arts, graduating with Cum Laude honors and being named to the Dean’s List.

Toya began her career with Newark Unified as a classified guest employee and has served in a wide range of roles throughout the years. 

While serving as Office Manager, Toya was recognized for her leadership and dedication with the Certificate of Recognition for the Avanzando Award in 2019.

She completed the prescribed course of study in the Executive Assistant Certification Program through the California School Boards Association (CSBA), further strengthening her leadership and administrative skills.

Toya has actively contributed to the district beyond her assigned roles, serving on committees. She was a member of the Snow/Graham merger design team, where she supported the vision and values statement, draft culture and climate plan, and participated in the school naming process.

She has also served as the Chapter Communications Officer for CSEA on the Executive Team and was the Secretary of the ELAC Committee.

Her professional values center on engaging, connecting, and building healthy relationships with colleagues, students, and the broader community. Toya is known for serving with love, pride, compassion, and empathy.

Outside of work, Toya enjoys spending time with her family.