Former ABC Unified Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu Has Died
Dr. Mary Sieu served the Cerritos-area district for over three decades and led it as superintendent for ten years.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Administration
Dr. Mary Sieu, the first woman and first Asian American to lead the ABC Unified School District, has died. She held the superintendent position from 2012 until her retirement in 2022.
Why it matters
Sieu left a lasting impact on Cerritos and surrounding communities by securing voter support for facility improvements under Measure BB. Her tenure is remembered for significant educational advancements and leadership milestones.
Sieu served as superintendent for 10 years after joining the district in 1989. During her career, she was named California Superintendent of the Year in 2017 and won the same national honor from Education Dive in 2018.
The players
Dr. Mary Sieu
She was an influential educator who served as the superintendent of the ABC Unified School District for a decade.
ABC Unified School District
This is the public school district serving students in the cities of Cerritos and Artesia in California.
The details
Rising through roles from program coordinator to deputy superintendent, Sieu became the district's first female and Asian American leader in 2012. Her administration was notably marked by the successful passage of Measure BB, which funded critical school facility infrastructure upgrades.
Timeline
Sieu began her tenure with the ABC Unified School District in 1989.
She served as the district superintendent starting in 2012.
Sieu was honored as California Superintendent of the Year in 2017.
She was named Education Dive's Superintendent of the Year in 2018.
Sieu officially retired from the school district in August 2022.
Culture Shift
The passage of Measure BB represents a definitive infrastructure milestone in the district's history. Sieu's ability to secure this funding helped modernize local classrooms, reflecting a broader trend of school leaders managing long-term capital assets.
Residents in Cerritos and Artesia may reflect on the lasting legacy of facility improvements funded during her tenure. Her leadership directly shaped the daily educational environment for thousands of local students over her 30-year career.
The takeaway
Sieu's career demonstrates the long-term impact a dedicated administrator can have on community infrastructure and student success. Her legacy serves as a benchmark for district leaders seeking to balance administrative growth with public facility initiatives.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational leadership at Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cerritos Community News.
