District recognizes classified employee

The Laguna Beach Unified School District selected El Morro Elementary School maintenance worker Diego Perez as its Classified Employee of the Year.

Perez, who has been with the district since 1999 and El Morro since 2004, was one of three finalists for the award. The others are Top of the World Elementary attendance and reception assistant Claudia Redfern and district paraeducator Margaret Warder.

“It is a pleasure to work with Diego,” Principal Chris Duddy said in a news release. “He is well liked by staff, parents and students and well known for keeping our school facility in excellent condition. I can’t think of a more deserving employee to be recognized.”

Perez is nationally certified in electrical diagnostics, maintenance and construction. He grew up in Cancun, Mexico, where he became fascinated with machinery parts and at age 7 surprised his father by disassembling an electrical drill, according to the release.

The district will recognize Perez, Redfern and Warder at the May 12 school board meeting.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce