Familiar Face Returns to Lead Santa Monica-Malibu Unified as Search Continues for New Superintendent

Malibu, CA — A former Santa Monia High principal has been appointed as the co-interim Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District superintendent.

Sylvia Rousseau was the principal at Samohi from 1993 to 2000. Since then, she's held various positions at the Los Angeles Unified School District, including serving as a superintendent for a local district within LAUSD.

Rousseau, along with Christopher King, who recently was the interim superintendent in Anaheim, was appointed last week to replace Sandra Lyons, who resigned in May to head the Palm Springs Unified School District. Her resignation became official July 1. Lyons had been on the job for five years.

“We welcome Dr. King and Dr. Rousseau to SMMUSD as co-interim superintendents,” Board President Laurie Lieberman said in a statement.

Rousseau and King will serve until Dec. 31 — that is when the new permanent superintendent is slated to start. The district is in the middle of a search for a new superintendent.

“I feel honored to be able to serve in Santa Monica and Malibu, and I am excited about continuing the tradition of excellence here,” King said in a statement. “The people I have met are amazing, and I can't wait to get started.”