Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press Michael Le Roy, a comedian and juggler from Venice, entertains onlookers by eating an apple while juggling at the end of the Santa Monica Pier. Deasy assistant Mathews slated to take over as superintendent
SMMUSD HDQTRS. — The school district’s second in command will become the new superintendent — for now.
The board of education Thursday announced it will make assistant superintendent Mike Mathews head of schools until a permanent replacement is found for outgoing superintendent John Deasy.
Mathews, who hopes to become the next superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu School District, said he will assume the day-to-day operations on Monday and will be working closely with Deasy over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.
“I’m very excited the board has given me the opportunity to lead the district while looking for a permanent replacement,” said the 43-year-old Mathews. “I think the board’s decision allows for us to continue to work towards the goals we have set for ourselves. I think the concern we all have is that we have a lot of great things happening right now that cannot be dropped, such as working on a standards-based instruction, assessment, equity and tolerance, and helping all students succeed. That is important work that needs to continue.”
Deasy, 45, has accepted the post of chief executive officer for the school district in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and is expected to leave the district by the end of April, if not sooner, according to school officials.
The board, which will officially approve Mathews’ appointment on March 2, will also instruct district staff to begin looking for agencies to help in the search and selection of a new superintendent. There is hope that the process will be completed before school resumes this fall.
School board president Julia Brownley said the board was united in its support of Mathews and felt his strong leadership skills and experience working in the district would help in continuing to accomplish goals set by the board and Deasy.
“The board felt he was the right person for the job,” Brownley said.
Deasy called Mathews “a perfect fit.” The board’s decision was celebrated by the teachers’union, whose leadership unanimously backed Mathews earlier this week.
“Mathews makes for a great choice because he has the institutional knowledge, having been employed here for 13 years,” said Harry Keiley, president of the Santa Monica Malibu Classroom Teacher’s Association. “We believe his leadership style … understanding that it’s not just about implementing policy, but also about people … and the respect that he gives to teachers is essential to continuing the great working relationship we have with him.”
Prior to serving as assistant superintendent of human resources, Mathews was principal at Malibu High School, where he over-saw the campus’transformation from a middle school to a combined middle and high school campus. Prior to that post, he was an adjunct professor at Cal State Northridge, where he taught graduate level courses in personnel management and public relations.
Mathews began his teaching career in 1985 at San Lorenzo High School in San Lorenzo, Calif., where he taught social studies and mentored teachers.
He holds a doctorate in education from Pepperdine University, and a masters in education from Stanford University.
In selecting the next superintendent, Brownley and Keiley both said they are looking for the strongest leader they can find, as well as someone who understands the importance of what the district as a whole is trying to accomplish and where it needs to focus on the future.
“We plan to conduct an extensive internal survey of our members and hold open forums so we can get as much feedback from as many people as possible and determine what qualities people are looking for,” Keiley said. “We look forward to not only being involved in the process, but also in the selection of the next superintendent.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 25, 2006. Read the original PDF.