Strong willed. Straightforward. Caring.
Are three of the unwavering adjectives faculty, staff, and students used to describe the atmosphere LaTanya Lloyd, also known as LT, created in the office.
Walking into the front office LT was always there at her desk overseeing everything that needed attention, a steady presence that will be dearly missed. Now her desk is empty, but her deep legacy remains.
On April 11, 2026 LaTanya Lloyd passed away. She began working in the PUSD district on Aug. 27, 2001 and through her 24 plus years of service she held roles such as campus supervisor and later as the attendance clerk.
In the desk right beside hers sits Campus Supervisor Michael Bell. Looking at the empty desk to the left of his, Bell said that LT was much more than just a colleague.
“It was almost like a sibling relationship [with LT]. She wasn’t my blood sibling, but we became very, very close,” Bell said. “I’ve been here for 14 years now, and it’s odd to look to my left and not see my partner in crime.”
Bell said their relationship extended far beyond school. They spent holidays together, exchanged gifts, and spent weekends with her family that built an unwavering and strong friendship.
In front of LT’s desk, student office TAs sit at the front counter, working and learning from Bell and LT.
“We had a pretty damn good relationship. It was like a teacher-student relationship at first,” said office TA and senior Nico French. “She was just so sweet and kind that I felt a motherly love from her. We had a very close relationship, sometimes she would buy me stuff from the bakery. It was really sweet.”
Many described LT as direct, but never without care.
“A lot of people see the exterior version of LT,” Bell said. “But underneath those layers was nothing but an amazing woman with a heart of gold.”
French said she had a bit of a spiky shell, but as soon as you got past that initial harshness, like you would see that behind all of her words was a lot of love, and somebody that wanted the best for everybody.
“She added a great ambience to the office, like hearing her big belly laugh. I really miss hearing those big belly laughs, or hearing her long nails clacking against her keyboard,” French said. “ I didn’t realize those would be things that I would have to miss.”
In the office, LT created a space where all students felt welcome, and her dedication extended to how she advocated for students.
French said he would often find himself going into the office even when it wasn’t his TA period just to say hi.
“She made sure to make [students] feel as though the front office was a place that you can come and be yourself, be your authentic, genuine self,” Bell said.
French said LT did not stand for any nonsense in the office, and in rare instances when a parent was rude, LT would quickly step in and stand up for the TAs. She was very motherly, protective and kind and just cared for everybody in the office in such a unique, special way.
“She was the type of employee that took her job very, very seriously,” Bell said. “Anything attendance related, it was a strict guideline.”
On April 13, PHS held a sharing circle in remembrance of LT where students and faculty were invited to come in and write notes about her and share their memories of her. Though her seat remains empty, her desk is filled with flowers and notes from all the students and staff she has left an impact on.
On April 15, many of LT’s colleagues spoke out at the school board meeting and shared the impact she had on them.
“LaTanya was the heart and soul of PHS for staff and students,” one faculty member said. “She is irreplaceable. She will be missed and never forgotten.”
Throughout her time at Piedmont, there were a multitude of other roles that LT played.
Bell said on top of the attendance role, she also played a critical role in building a sense of belonging on campus. She helped a lot of students get through hard moments in their lives, especially kids who transferred to the school, as that is a difficult change. She was always a big advocate for them and they all really appreciated that.
No matter how close one was with LT, her absence is felt in moments small and big.
“I think everyone knew LT for who she was,” Bell said. “Even if you didn’t closely know her, you knew of her. Her legacy will never go anywhere, we’re going to make sure of that.
“If you’re watching this from heaven, we love you LT, thank you,” French said.
