Internal candidates to be considered for Del Mar superintendent’s position

The Del Mar Union School District will initially consider internal candidates to fill the superintendent’s position, according to the district’s board.

The board will announce June 6 if it has decided to hire an internal candidate and, if so, ratify a contract at the board’s June 27 meeting.

If an internal candidate is not found for the superintendent position, the board will start a “comprehensive search” at its June 27 meeting, with the goal of finding a new superintendent within four to six months. In that case, an interim superintendent will be appointed at the board’s July 25 meeting.

After a closed meeting held May 16, the Del Mar Union School District board released the following statement regarding its search for a new superintendent to replace retiring superintendent James Peabody:

“During the last two years the Del Mar Union School District has been working through a strategic management process that has clearly defined its vision, mission and long-term goals, along with the actions to achieve them. By providing a nurturing, inspiring, and rigorous educational experience for each of our students, the district has moved forward with a renewed purpose and energy.

“The Board believes that to sustain the momentum that has been created the district needs to have continuity in leadership with someone who understands the culture of the district and the intricacies of the strategic management plan. In addition, they are looking for a professional leader who can communicate the district’s vision to all stakeholders.

“The Board realizes that this is the most important decision they will make and will make it being well informed. Therefore, they have met with parents, teachers (current and former), administrators (current and former), former Del Mar and other area board members as well as individuals at the San Diego County Office of Education.

“After careful consideration, the Board of Trustees has decided to consider internal candidates to fill the Superintendent position. Board Policy 2120 allows the Board to promote from within the district without doing a superintendent search. If at the end of that process they do not select a candidate, they will immediately begin a comprehensive superintendent search.”