Staff Profile

 
David Kooper
Chief of Staff  
 
David Kooper has worked with the Los Angeles School District for over 12 years and has served as a Teacher, Magnet Coordinator, and currently holds the position of Chief of Staff to Board Member Dr. Richard Vladovic.
 
Mr. Kooper is proud to be an LAUSD graduate. He obtained his Associates in Arts degree from Los Angeles Harbor College before earning his college diploma from the University of California at Santa Barbara and received his Masters Degree in Elementary Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.
 
He is a graduate of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Mr. Kooper is a firm believer in the value of having small, personalized learning environments and has dedicated his life’s work to eradicating the learning gap and promoting a quality education for all.
 
In his position as Chief of Staff, Mr. Kooper oversees all matters associated with Board District 7. He has served in this position since July 2007.
 
 
 
Jacob Haik
Deputy Chief of Staff  
Jacob Haik is Dr. Vladovics Deputy Chief of Staff.
 
In that capacity he is in charge of all operations including new construction, existing facilities, contracts, labor, transportation, environmental issues and bond oversight.
 
He is Dr. Vladovic’s liaison to the City of Los Angeles, California Air Resource Board, Southern California Air Quality Management District, Port of Los Angeles and environmental groups.
 

Jacob is a veteran of Los Angeles Government and politics.He most recently served as Director of Environmental Affairs to Los Angeles City, Councilwoman Janice Hahn. He was responsible for developing and coordinating environmental and emergency preparedness issues for Council District 15. Jacob also worked closely with the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach, LAX, California Air Resource Board, SCAQMD, local refineries and local environmental groups.

Jacob also currently serves on the Local Government and Small Business Assistance Advisory Board to Southern California Air Quality Management District.

 
Jacob is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BS in Bio/Chemistry and Los Angeles Harbor College with an A.A. in Liberal Arts.He is a Los Angeles native, born in Harbor City, grew up in Wilmington and currently lives in San Pedro.  He is a father of four children: Elizabeth, Israel, Crystal and Michael. All attend LAUSD schools, except for Elizabeth whom is too young.

 
 
 
Rafael Ruvalcaba
Field Deputy  
 
Rafael Ruvalcaba has eleven years of experience in the technical field, six of which have been spent working with Los Angeles Unified School District. Four of those years were spent working in Special Education while running a private technical consulting business.
 
Rafael attended grade school and middle school in Rancho Palos Verdes and completed his high school years in the L.A. Unified School District. Graduating from high school in 1994, Rafael went on to obtain a BS in Networking and Communications Management and has used these skills to support end users throughout the district in a variety of district applications such as SIS, ESIS, ISIS, BTS, among others.
 
Rafael Ruvalcaba is a native to the Wilmington community. His wife is a 12 year district employee currently working in Special Education and his son is a senior band member at a local district school, which he is extremely proud of.
 
 
 
Lyle Tooks
Field Deputy
 
Originally from San Diego, Lyle Tooks moved to Los Angeles to begin his career in community activism and educational reform with Board District 7.   
 
Lyle attended the University of San Francisco where he obtained his Bachelors of Arts degree in History.
 
“I am delighted to work with individuals that are sincere about educational progress, especially in the inner city. Engaging constituents to become active participants in students’ education is essential for success and growth.”
 
 

 

 
J. Maxie Hemmans

Senior Advisor

 

J. Maxie Hemmans is Dr. Vladovic’s Senior Advisor.  In that capacity he provides communications and public engagement guidance for District #7 with the following objectives: provide consultation to staff as necessary, as well as develop and assist in implementation of instructional programs; provide community outreach to the schools; provide training of staff and facilitate an effective work environment advise Board Member District #7 on LAUSD management and policy issues.

Maxie is a retired Principal of Los Angeles Unified School District.  During his tenure as an educator he served as a math teacher, head football coach, dean of students, testing coordinator, SIS coordinator and UTLA chapter chair.  He worked at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and option schools. 

His work with students and stakeholders earned the respect of his peers who elected him President of PTA, Senior High Schools Options Principals Organization, West Point Parents club of Orange County and the Council of Black Administrators.