KEPPEL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT GETS EXTENSION WAGNER ON BOARD THROUGH JULY 2008.

Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO Staff Writer

PEARBLOSSOM -- Keppel Union School District trustees have extended Superintendent Linda Wagner's contract another year and have given her a 3.5 percent raise.

Wagner, who was hired last October, will now earn $120,060 annually and have a contract that runs through July 2008.

``It's just been a fantastic experience working at Keppel. It's a very healthy, stable district. It's been a pleasure working with the board,'' said Wagner, 40.

Keppel employees earlier this year received a 3.5 percent raise.

Board President Valorie Gorny said the board approved a raise and contract extension for Wagner after evaluating her performance.

``We are very pleased with her dedication and enthusiasm for the students in Keppel,'' Gorny said.

Before coming to Keppel, Wagner had been with the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District for more than two years, first as assistant principal and principal at Meadowlark School, then chief administrative officer, and then superintendent beginning in July 2004.

Before that, she was principal at Palmdale School District's Los Amigos School, where students are taught in both Spanish and English.

Wagner obtained her bachelor's degree in music (she was a voice major) and Spanish, her master's in education, and her doctorate in educational leadership, all from the University of La Verne.

Her doctoral thesis focused on instructional leadership in high-poverty schools.

Wagner replaced Tom Niekamp, who retired. Keppel has about 3,100 students in six schools.

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com

[phone]