A Los Angeles Unified School District employee has been named a 2026 California Classified School Employee of the Year, officials announced on Thursday.
Pablo Lopez, a senior heating and air conditioning fitter with nine years of service, was among nine honorees selected statewide by California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
Lopez will be recognized at a May 20 luncheon in Sacramento during California Classified School Employees Week.
Officials said Lopez played a key leadership role during recent wildfires, helping coordinate crews to ensure schools had proper air filtration systems in place. He also worked with district engineering teams to repair and replace damaged systems and maintain safe conditions for students and staff, according to the district.
“Pablo exemplifies the dedication, skill, and quiet heroism of our classified employees — the individuals who keep our schools running every single day. We are proud to call him one of our own,” Acting Superintendent Andrés Chait said in a statement.
Lopez was selected after advancing through district- and county-level recognition programs that honor classified employees across a range of roles within the district.
District officials said additional honorees will be recognized at upcoming Board of Education and Principal Council meetings, as well as during Classified Employee Appreciation Week in May.