The Oakland Unified School District Board of Education has announced an interim replacement for departing superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell.

Denise Saddler, a former principal at Chabot Elementary School, will replace Johnson-Trammell for the 2025-26 school year, the district announced Friday.

The board abruptly ousted Johnson-Trammell in April with a 4-3 vote in closed session without stating a reason, although district officials have said it was long expected she would depart before the 2026-27 school year.

Saddler, her temporary replacement, is a former teacher who was president of the teachers’ union Oakland Education Association for six years, and while an administrator she oversaw 15 North and West Oakland schools as an OUSD network executive officer, according to district officials.

The terms of her contract weren’t released as they are still being worked out, according to a news release from the district.

In April, the board said Johnson-Trammell will remain as “superintendent emeritus” from July until Jan. 15, 2026.

Kiley Russell writes primarily for Local News Matters on issues related to equity and the environment. A Bay Area native, he has lived most of his life in Oakland. He studied journalism at San Francisco State University, worked for the Associated Press and the former Contra Costa Times, among other outlets. He has covered everything from state legislatures, local governments, federal and state courts, crime, growth and development, political campaigns of various stripes, wildfires and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.