San Juan Unified School District Begins Search for New Superintendent

The San Juan Unified Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday evening to commence a search process for a superintendent to replace Pat Jaurequi when she retires Aug. 30.

The Board began meeting last Thursday and will complete its search for the new superintendent no later than Jan. 2, 2012. The Board anticipates making a selection by March 2012 with the new superintendent assuming duties July 1, 2012.

“The Board has a strong interest in a process that will allow stakeholders an opportunity to provide valuable input into the selection of next superintendent,” said San Juan Unified School District spokesman, Trent Allen in an emailed statement. “We believe this transparent and collaborative process will ultimately accrue to the benefit of our new superintendent and make the district stronger and better.”

The Board also took action to appoint Glynn Thompson as interim superintendent beginning Aug. 1, 2011 to “provide stable leadership,” according to the statement.

“In recognition of his increased responsibilities as interim superintendent, Mr. Thompson will be paid $220,000 annual compensation,” Allen said.

A vote to request a search for a chief financial officer was also conducted and the district will engage the services of leading school financial advisors in the state, School Services of California, to assist in the appointment.

“We cannot afford to delay replacing this crucial position, especially with the historic state budget uncertainty with which we are confronted,” Allen said.

These decisions come at a time when the district’s other administrative choices have come under considerable discussion and debate.

“We ask our community to support our efforts to have an open and collaborative selection process to name a permanent superintendent and to support Mr. Thompson as he assumes his new role during these very challenging and difficult times,” Allen said.

Jaurequi’s retirement and the push to replace her have come in the wake of for San Juan Unified.

The district has been working to . Its reasoning behind the new alignment would hopefully provide teachers and staff better collaborative measures for students transitioning from their middle school to high school. San Juan Unified recently ended home-to-school transportation for students in the district in an effort to reduce its budget.

Jaurequi has also been involved in the push on California lawmakers to put critical to K-12 education on a June ballot, urging lawmakers to accept Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed election on taxes. If a decision can’t be made the “Plan B”, all-cuts budget would lead to a $4.6 billion reduction in public school funding – a scenario Jaurequi and other school district superintendents feel would “decimate” programs for California students.

In March when asked about the possibility of an “all-cuts” budget, Jaurequi said, “If we have to go to Plan B, I’m confident our labor groups will work with us through further conessions.”