The Grossmont Union High School District Governing Board approved the appointments of Dr. Bobbi Burkett and Ami Shackelford to serve as assistant superintendent of Human Resources and deputy superintendent of Business Services, respectively. Both will also serve as members of the superintendent’s executive leadership team.
“The experience and expertise that Dr. Burkett and Ms. Shackelford will bring to our District leadership team will strengthen our educational programs and help open new opportunities for GUHSD students to succeed,” said GUHSD Superintendent Mike Fowler in a press release. “Both Dr. Burkett and Ms. Shackelford are also East County residents who I know are deeply committed to helping us fulfill our purpose of empowering each GUHSD student to build the best future.”
Since 2021, Burkett served as the executive director of Human Resources with the San Diego County Office of Education. Her previous human resources leadership and school administration experience includes serving as assistant superintendent of Human Resources and Student Services for the Alpine Union School District, director of Student Services and Special Education for the Lemon Grove School District, Special Education coordinator for the San Diego County Office of Education, and site administrator for GUHSD. She started her career – which spans 24 years – as a District psychologist for the Ramona Unified School District and as a program specialist for the La-Mesa Spring Valley School District. As assistant superintendent of Human Resources, Burkett will oversee GUHSD’s recruitment and hiring programs, contract negotiations, and personnel policies and training, among other responsibilities.
Before coming to GUHSD, Shackelford was assistant superintendent of Business Services at Vista Unified School District, and she had previously served as Budget Development director for San Diego Unified School District, as chief financial officer of Alvord Unified School District, and as assistant superintendent of Business Services at Encinitas Union School District. Her 25-year career in fiscal oversight and management also includes private sector experience with Xcel Energy, Qwest Communications, and Boeing. In 2023, the Association of California School Administrators named Shackelford the San Diego region’s Chief Business Officer of the Year. Shackelford’s responsibilities as deputy superintendent of Business Services will include oversight of GUHSD’s educational technology services, fiscal services, facilities management, food services, warehouse, purchasing, risk management, and transportation departments.