Las Virgenes wants Carpinteria superintendent

By Stephanie Bertholdo
bertholdo@theacorn.com

The search for a Las Virgenes Unified School District superintendent has been narrowed down to one finalist: Dr. Sandra B. Smyser, the current superintendent of the Carpinteria Unified School District.

After an extensive search and interview process, the Las Virgenes board identified Smyser as the best candidate for the job. At Tuesday’s school board meeting it was announced that final contract negotiations with Smyser are underway and that if hired she would start work July 1. Board members and other district officials went to visit Smyser in Carpinteria as one of the final steps in the hiring process.

Smyser boasts a broad educational background. Before heading the Carpinteria school district, she served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and projects.

Smyser moved up through the ranks of educational leadership, launching her career as a special education teacher, followed by a position as the district’s home education program coordinator. Smyser then landed a job as an assistant elementary school principal and later became principal. She also worked as a summer school principal.

The school district retained the services of Leadership Associates to conduct a nationwide search for a new leader after John Fitzpatrick, the superintendent for nine years, retired one year early to accept the position of superintendent in residence at Pepperdine University’s School of Education and Psychology in Malibu.

Deputy Superintendent Donald Zimring has been serving as Las Virgenes interim superintendent.

Board member Terilyn Finders said the contract negotiations with Smyser could take about two weeks.

"She’s really lovely," Finders added.

"The board is very excited about this person," said Boardmember Gordon Whitehead.

"The board is impressed with Dr. Smyser’s proven leadership skills and experience, and we believe she is well positioned to move Las Virgenes to the next level of excellence," Whitehead said.