No sooner did San Francisco USD’s superintendent resign than the district welcomed in its new leader. After former superintendent Matt Wayne’s resignation last week, the district moved quickly to hire Maria Su, who had been the executive director of the city’s Department of Children, Youth and Their Families for the last 15 years.
San Francisco USD’s school board commended Wayne for leading the district through a challenging period and focusing on student outcomes and teaching and learning. Su had previously served as a co-leader of the city’s School Stabilization Team.
“Her deep expertise leading teams and running a large government agency is exactly what we need to stabilize our school district,” board president Matt Alexander said.
Along with selecting Su, the district halted a plan to close several schools. San Francisco USD also must complete a preliminary spending plan in the coming weeks to prevent a state takeover.
On the move: New hires
In New Jersey, Superintendent Courtney McNeely is moving from Pittsgrove Township School District to take the helm at Moorestown Township Public Schools. In Michigan’s Saugatuck Public Schools, middle and high school principal Mark Neidlinger will replace Superintendent Tim Travis, who will retire at the end of 2024.
The Victoria Independent School District in Texas has chosen Sheila Collazo as the sole finalist to become its next superintendent. Collazo is deputy superintendent at Somerset ISD and previously served as an administrator at South San Antonio ISD.
Cost of conflict: Schools now spend billions dealing with division
The Houston County School District in Georgia intends to promote its deputy superintendent, Richard Rogers, to become its next leader. Rogers has worked for the district in various capacities since 2004.
More new hires:
- Assistant Superintendent Dana Sprinkle will replace Superintendent Greg Brown when he retires from Abilene Public Schools (Kansas) in July.
- Cathy Stockton, Union Parish School District (Louisiana)
- Andrew Comstock, Perry County School District 32 (Missouri)
On the move: Retirements
- Mike Bell will retire from the Fair Grove R-X School District (Missouri) after the 2024-2025 school year.
- Shawn Higginbotham will retire from the Lake Hamilton School District (Arkansas) in June.
- DeAnn Powell will retire from Pasadena ISD (Texas) at the end of the school year.
- Marc Spunaugle will retire from the Morgan County R-II School District (Missouri) at the end of the school year.
