Dr. Meza Brings Over 24 Years of Educational Experience, Including Expertise in Recruitment, Leadership, and Compliance
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education has appointed Dr. Douglas Meza as the new assistant superintendent of human resources. The decision, finalized during the board’s December 19, 2024, meeting, comes after Dr. Meza’s tenure as SMMUSD’s human resources director since August 2023.
Dr. Meza brings over 24 years of educational experience, including expertise in recruitment, leadership, and compliance with state and federal regulations. In his previous role, he spearheaded initiatives to enhance employee recruitment and retention, supervised hiring processes, and supported the district’s mission of building a highly qualified workforce. His contributions also included developing internal training programs and ensuring compliance with labor laws and district policies.
Before joining SMMUSD, Dr. Meza served as the administrator of operations for Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) Region West. There, he oversaw the evaluation of 12,000 employees, led professional development sessions, and organized hiring fairs. He has also held roles as a middle and high school principal, assistant principal, and talent acquisition specialist.
“I am thrilled to serve as the new assistant superintendent of human resources,” Dr. Meza said. “I look forward to fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence for our staff and community.”
Dr. Meza holds a bachelor’s in child development and a master’s in educational administration from Cal State LA, as well as a doctorate in organizational leadership from UCLA.
He succeeds Dr. Mark Kelly, deputy superintendent since 2010, who retires this month after 37 years in education, including 25 with SMMUSD.
