Administration

Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

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Bernadette Lucas has been an educator for over 28 years.  She came to education through Teach For America (1991).  She has most recently served as the Director of Technology for Beverly Hills Unified School District.  She served in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 23 years as a Teacher, Title I Coordinator, Advisor and Assistant Director for a teacher credentialing program, Assistant Principal, Principal, Mentor Principal, and Director of Technology.  She also teaches in the School Leadership Program at California State University, Dominguez Hills.  

Her career has been committed to equity, access, and social justice for all students. She is passionate about ensuring that each student has access to a world class education that prepares them to not only be successful, but to also thrive in a changing world.  Dr. Lucas earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia and her Master in Educational Leadership from California State University, Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2019 with a Doctorate in K-12 Leadership. 

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Mr. Bhatta has extensive experience in California school finance and has played a critical role in maintaining the district's fiscal stability through comprehensive budget development, multi-year financial projections, collective bargaining cost analyses, cash flow forecasting, and ongoing monitoring of restricted and unrestricted funding sources. He has led numerous fiscal initiatives, including budget certification, audit coordination, financial recovery efforts, implementation of new financial management systems, and the development of long-range fiscal sustainability plans. His collaborative leadership with district administration, governing boards, labor partners, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, and state agencies has helped strengthen fiscal accountability, transparency, and operational efficiency.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Bhatta served as the Executive Director of Fiscal Services and Facilities Accountant for the Inglewood Unified School District. Before entering public education, he held financial leadership positions in the private sector, where he managed budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and audit functions. His experience across both public and private sectors provides him with a comprehensive understanding of organizational finance, strategic planning, operational management, and risk mitigation.

Mr. Bhatta earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He is dedicated to advancing educational excellence through responsible fiscal stewardship, transparent governance, and innovative business practices that support student achievement and organizational success.