DOWNEY — D. Mark Morris took over as president of the Downey Unified School District’s Board of Education on Tuesday, replacing Donald LaPlante, who retired this week after 41 years on the school board.

Other officers include Barbara Samperi as vice president and Martha Sodetani as clerk.

The virtual ceremony also saw the departure of Tod Corrin, who retired after 17 years as a board member. 

Meanwhile, Jose Rodriguez and Linda Saldaña, who won election to the Downey school board last month, were administered the oath of office. 

Saying Goodbye

Prerecorded presentations and certificates were provided from various elected officials thanking LaPlante and Corrin. Those who submitted certificates as well as kind words to wish them both farewell included Congresswoman Lucille Royball-Allard, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, past Downey Mayor Blanca Pacheco, Cerritos College President Dr. Jose Fierro and former superintendents Dr. Ed Sussman and Dr. Wendy Doty. 

D. Mark Morris presented both retirees with a commemorative gavel on behalf of the entire Board of Education, thanking both for their leadership and combined 58 years of service.

Included in the evening’s virtual ceremony was a sanctioned Oath of Office reelecting members Giovanna Perez-Saab and newly elected president Morris, who were voted into their respective trustee areas in November. 

New President

Morris is a lifelong resident of Downey and a graduate of Downey High School. He has been a member of the Board of Education since 1982. Morris is a member of the California School Board Association and the Los Angeles County School Boards Association. 

He retired from the City of Downey as a housing planner after 28 years, also having worked for six years for the cities of Norwalk, Paramount and Alhambra. He is married to his wife, Pam, who is a Downey Unified teacher. All their children have attended Downey Unified schools as well as their four grandchildren.

Bobbie Samperi, a Downey resident and Warren High School graduate, has served on the Board of Education for 27 years.  A member of the Downey Community Service Commission for 15 years, Samperi has also been an active member of Downey Council PTA, Alameda Elementary, Ward Elementary, Sussman Middle and Downey High School’s PTA. 

She is currently a member of Downey Federal Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee. 

Sodetani has been a resident of Downey for many years and actively involved within the Downey community. She is a member of the PTA HELPS Food Distribution Board, Downey Coordinating Council, CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, Downey Sister Cities, Gangs Out of Downey and the Assistance League of Downey.

Sodetani has served on the Board of Education since 2005.