As local citizens, our governing board members have a responsibility to the students and the community at-large for providing a high quality choice in education for all youth who are unable to participate in the traditional school model.
Each member of our independently governed, non-profit charter school governing board contributes a depth of experience in areas such as education, business, finance, and community development. Each member is especially passionate about improving the lives of young people and helping establish them as confident, educated, skillful, and civic-minded citizens of their community.
John Dortch
Board President
Term expires June 30, 2026
Mark Hershey
Board Secretary
Term expires June 30, 2026
Gino Pomilia
Board Member
Term expires June 30, 2026
Joan Sodergren
Board Member
Term expires June 30, 2026
Michael R. Adams
Board Member
Term expires June 30, 2026
John Dortch
For 36 years, Mr. John Dortch served as a manager for the L.A. County Assessor’s Office and was responsible for the assessment operations throughout the county. Since retirement in 2012, Dortch has been actively serving his community through Habitat for Humanity, the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Rotary and Elks. He serves as a L.A. County appointee to the City of Santa Clarita Redevelopment Oversight Board, and was a previous appointee to the Santa Clarita Open Space Oversight Committee. Dortch holds a bachelor’s in business administration from California State University, Northridge and is a U.S. Army veteran. Dortch strongly believes that education is a crucial stepping-stone to a successful and fulfilling life.
Mark Hershey
Mr. Mark Hershey is a retired lieutenant from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. After 30 years of service to law enforcement, Hershey moved into education. He earned a Career Technical Education (CTE) Teaching Credential and taught Forensics and Criminal Investigations for the West Ranch High School CTE program for nine years. Hershey received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from California State University, Northridge and a master’s degree in Forensic Science from the University of Florida.
Gino Pomilia
Mr. Gino Pomilia has a teaching career that spans more than 30 years. The first in his family to graduate college, Pomilia holds a bachelor’s from Humboldt State University, a teaching credential from San Francisco State University and a master’s in kinesiology and education from Sonoma State University. In addition to teaching high school, Pomilia has coached baseball and football at the high school and collegiate level throughout his career.
Joan Sodergren
Ms. Joan Sodergren has been involved in education for more than 20 years serving as a full time Special Education teacher, serving students from birth to 22 years of age, substitute teacher, active community member, and youth advocate. She served on the Westside School District Board of Trustees for 12 years enhancing school policies, systems, and culture. As an active community member, Sodergren has served as: a California State Park board member; a founding board member of the Friends of the Lancaster Cemetery; a hospice volunteer; Treasurer for an educational foundation; PTA President; President of three School Site Councils (elementary, middle school and high school); a WASC committee member; a Sunday School teacher; and a member of the UCLA Parent Council. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California-Davis campus, and received her Special Education Teaching Credential from California State University-Bakersfield.
Michael R. Adams
For 17 years Mr. Adams served as the emergency services coordinator for the City of Simi Valley. He then went on to serve as the housing manager for the City of Palmdale and previously worked as the senior redevelopment projects coordinator for the City of Lancaster. Mr. Adams is a U.S. Air Force veteran and specialized as a counterintelligence officer and an ICBM missile-launch crew commander. Mr. Adams received his Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and his Master of Science from USC. He has been a member of several community boards including the American Red Cross, United Way, the Antelope Valley Homeless Coalition. Michael Adams is a current elected board member of the Antelope Valley College District Board of Trustees and has been a member for over 17 years.