Superintendent stays at Las Virgenes
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Sandra Smyser

Sandra Smyser will continue her work as superintendent of the Las Virgenes Unified School District. One of three finalists for a superintendent's post in Boulder, Colo., Smyser has been informed by the Boulder Valley School District that she didn't get the job.

"I am happy to say that I will not be going to Boulder," Smyser said. "The expressions of support and encouragement I have received these last two weeks have been remarkable."

Smyser said she had applied for the Boulder job for personal reasons. Smyser said earlier that she had considered the move because her son attends college in Colorado and plans to make his home in the Rocky Mountain state. Smyser's husband also has business opportunities in Colorado.

In a nationwide search, Smyser was selected as a candidate for the position after Boulder Valley's Superintendent George Garcia announced he would retire at the end of the school year.

The other two finalist candidates for the job are Chris King, Boulder Valley's deputy superintendent, and James Hammond, superintendent of the 2,200student Tukwila School District in Washington.

The Boulder Valley school board notified Smyser last week that she had not been selected for the position. The board has not announced its choice to replace Garcia.

Rather than discuss the Boulder job, Smyser said she prefers to plan for the future of Las Virgenes students.

"This district is so great," Smyser said. "We are moving forward with technology, with educational options for students like dual enrollment with community colleges, a new elementary classroom (similar to a) Montessorilike (program), a broadening of our home school options and so many other positive additions to our already fantastic programs."

Although school board members said they wanted what was best for Smyser and her family, they were nonetheless happy with the outcome.

"I'm really pleased that she is staying with us," said board member Cindy Iser. "I think that she's the right person for our district. We're really, truly poised to make some terrific changes and advances in our educational programs for kids. She spent 18 months positioning the district to be ready for this, so I'm glad she will be in a position to follow through."

Board member Dave Moorman was equally pleased with the outcome. "I am thrilled she is going to remain with us," Moorman said. "She's been a great leader and an inspiration."

"Yerba Buena is opening at the end of April, and the process of creating Lindero Canyon Middle School's facilities is beginning," Smyser said. "I am looking forward to continuing to work on these initiatives."