Former LAUSD Administrator Joins SMMUSD in Key HR Role
By SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer, Gail Pinsker
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD)Board of Education approved the appointment of Melissa Winters as the new human resources director at its March 6,
2025 regular board meeting.
Winters comes to SMMUSD with more than 20 years of education experience, recently serving the Los Angeles Unified School District as the staff relations field director of the Region West Office of Staff Relations.
Her responsibilities included providing information, direction, and professional development to staff, resolution of employee-related issues and implementation of collective bargaining agreements. She is experienced in working with district data to develop, monitor and maintain a strategic focus to meet district goals.
Prior to this role, she was the special education administrator coordinator with the same LAUSD region, where she led and guided regional special education staff in providing support, professional development, and technical assistance to special ed staff.
She has held roles including principal, assistant principal, instructional specialist, categorical coordinator and special education teacher.
“I am honored and thrilled to serve as the human resource director for the highly esteemed and resilient Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District family,” said Winters. “I am excited to collaborate with staff and community members to contribute to fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive work and learning environment. With a deep passion for developing talent and supporting professional growth, I look forward to working alongside the management team to make a meaningful impact on our students’ success.”
Winters holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from Cal State Los Angeles, a master’s degree in special education from Cal State Los Angeles, and an administrative credential from Cal State Dominguez Hills. She is bilingual in Spanish.
She is replacing Dr. Douglas Meza, who was promoted to assistant superintendent of human
resources following the retirement of Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mark Kelly in December.
“I would like to welcome Ms. Winters to the SMMUSD family,” said Superintendent Dr. Antonio
Shelton. “We are happy to have her on board to support and lead our human resources team.”
