Joseph Manacmul appointed to Downey school board

DOWNEY – The Downey Unified School District has appointed Joseph Manacmul to fill a vacancy on its Board of Education, following the death of longtime trustee Barbara R. Samperi earlier this year.

According to a notice issued by the district, Manacmul was provisionally appointed on Oct. 28 to represent Trustee Area 7. The seat became vacant after Samperi, who had served on the board for more than 20 years, died Sept. 5.

Manacmul’s appointment will become permanent unless a petition calling for a special election—signed by the required number of registered voters—is filed with the Los Angeles County Office of Education within 30 days of the appointment.

A Downey resident, Manacmul is a seasoned business and technology professional with experience in program management, strategic planning, and information systems.

His background includes leadership roles in both public and private sectors, with a focus on operations, project delivery, and innovation.

From 2012 to 2018 he was director of operations at Stay Arts, which operated Stay Gallery in Downey.

He left to become co-owner of Pita GR restaurant, where he stayed until 2023.

Samperi, who was first elected to the school board in 2003, was known for her passion for public education and tireless commitment to students.

She helped guide the district through major facility upgrades, the expansion of arts and STEM programs, and the implementation of career pathways that prepared students for college and modern workplaces.

Downey Unified officials said the notice of Manacmul’s appointment has been posted in three public locations within the district and published in a local newspaper, in accordance with state law.