San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent Rick Schmitt moving on to new job

San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent Rick Schmitt has accepted a superintendent position in San Ramon Valley Unified School District in Northern California, according to an April 26 press release.

Schmitt served the San Dieguito Union High School District for 13 years, as Principal of Torrey Pines High School for three years, then six years as Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, followed by one year as Deputy Superintendent before becoming Superintendent in 2013.

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) covers an 18-square-mile area, encompassing the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon (including the new Dougherty Valley communities in east San Ramon) as well as a small portion of the cities of Walnut Creek and Pleasanton. The District is rapidly expanding and is comprised of 36 schools serving more than 32,000 students in Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 12.

The District employs approximately 3,500 people, hiring 250-300 employees per year. With an annual operating budget of over $300 million for the 2016-17 year, SRVUSD receives more than $17 million per year in parent/private donations, and $6.7 million per year from a local parcel tax.

SRVUSD is one of the top performing districts in California. Over 94 percent of graduating seniors attend college or university, and District students are accepted into the University of California and the California State University systems at rates far exceeding state averages.

The District has been recognized for its excellence with 23 Gold Ribbon Schools, more than any other district in northern California. It has also been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education through the National Blue Ribbon School program.

Schmitt stated, “I am humbled and extremely grateful to have been selected to lead the SRVUSD. I will always be grateful to the SDUHSD community for all it has done for my family, as both my children graduated from Torrey Pines High School. I wasn’t expecting to leave, but it is a terrific opportunity. I am looking forward to relocating to the Bay Area, where my wife and I started our family many years ago, and where much of our extended family currently lives.”

“Mr. Schmitt has been a tremendous asset to the District and I am sad to see him go,” San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustee President Beth Hergesheimer stated, “I understand this is an amazing opportunity for Mr. Schmitt and his family, and know that he will do the same fabulous work in San Ramon as he did here at San Dieguito. Mr. Schmitt accomplished so much in his 13 years at the San Dieguito Union High School District, including establishing a commitment to high community visibility and partnerships, building strong relationships with staff and parents, and leading the work to continually improve student achievement while caring for the overall well being of each student.”

Hergesheimer will work with her fellow trustees, staff and the community on replacing Schmitt.

Schmitt’s last day with the San Dieguito Union High School District will be June 30, 2016.

Pending San Ramon Valley Unified School District board approval, Schmitt is expected to start work in San Ramon on July 1, 2016.