Meet the Waugh Board Members

matt thomas, Board President

Mr. Matt Thomas, Board President

Matt retired from the Petaluma Police Department after 25 years of service to the community. He was elected to the Waugh School Board and has held the position for 10 years. He decided to run for the school board in order to help the district maintain and expand the excellence it is known for throughout the county.

Matt also serves as a member of the board for the Speedway Children's Charity at Sonoma Raceway.

Contact him at mthomas@waughsd.org.

Christie Shern, Board Clerk

Mrs. Christie Shern, Board Clerk

Christie and her husband, Dana, both grew up in Petaluma, and both knew firsthand what a wonderful place it is to raise a family. She appreciates all the Waugh School District has to offer.

While both of her daughters were attending Meadow School, she was selected to serve on the Board of Trustees five years ago. She is currently serving a four year term.

Contact her at cshern@waughsd.org.

Christine pieper, board member

Mrs. Christine Pieper, Board Member

Christine was elected to the Waugh School Board in 2011. Prior to that she served as President of the Waugh PTA, and also served on the district’s Site Council.

Christine has worked in the field of education for over 20 years. She has a Master of Arts degree in Education, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. She is a long-time resident of Petaluma, and has two children who attended Corona Creek School.

Contact her at cpieper@waughsd.org.

MIKE GARDNER, BOARD MEMBER

Mike Gardner

Mr. Mike Gardner, Board Member

Mike began his term in December 2018. Mike is the Executive Director of Student Services for San Rafael City Schools and previously worked for the Marin County Office of Education as a Special Education Program Manager. Mike received a B.A. in History from the University of California, Davis and a Master's degree from the University of San Francisco. He also completed teacher credentialing programs at Sonoma State University and Dominican University of California. Mike serves on the board for Opportunity for Independence (a nonprofit supporting adults with disabilities in San Rafael). His accomplishments as the Terra Linda High School wrestling coach led to his induction into the Marin County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

Mike and his wife have two sons, one attending Corona Creek and one who will begin school next year.

Contact him at mgardner@waughsd.org.

DOMINIC MAGNANI, BOARD MEMBER

Dominic Magnani

Mr. Dominic Magnani, Board Member

Dominic began his term in December 2018. Dominic is a Senior Sales Representative for AbbVie, a pharmaceutical company, and has been with the company for twelve years. He has served for a number of years on the Board of the Arthritis Foundation and is becoming more active in youth sports as his children get older. Dominic received a degree in marketing from Cal State Chico. Dominic and his wife, Leigh, have a son and a daughter who attend Corona Creek.

Contact him at dmagnani@waughsd.org.