The Los Banos Unified School District has begun the search for a new superintendent, following the resignation of former superintendent Mark Marshall in July.
The board appointed Sean Richey, current Chief Academic Officer, as interim superintendent on July 10. He will hold the position until the board hires a permanent superintendent.
According to Anthony Parreira, President of the Board of Trustees, the search for a permanent superintendent will take anywhere from three to six months.
“The district is always looking for the best possible candidate,” said Richey. Richey himself expressed interest in applying for the role permanently.
Richey has worked in education for 25 years, in that time teaching Spanish and History as an elementary and middle school teacher, and serving as a principal and vice principal. For the last six years, he’s supported the school district as the Chief Academic Officer.
As interim, Parreira stated, Richey will be there “to make sure the district continues to run smoothly, make sure we are spending our money correctly and, as we’re starting the school year out, of course, to make sure everything is in place to start the school year.”
The superintendent is responsible for overseeing events and operations, representing the district and working with human resources.
Between the responsibilities of being interim superintendent and chief academic officer, Richey joked he was “not getting a lot of sleep.”
“I believe the district is poised to do great things, and I believe strongly in its goals and direction,” said Richey.
Parreira explained Richey was selected by the board for his familiarity with the inner workings of the district.
“We had an internal person who could keep the district running, and knew the ins and outs of what was going on, and we’re just starting the school year, so appointing someone from the outside in, in that role, would be difficult, because it’s a sharp learning curve,” said Parreira.
In his capacities, Richey has had a hand in many developments within the district, including events like the backpack giveaway, programs for mental health and counseling, the development of the new Transitional Kindergarten Center and the five-year community schools grant.
Of his plans and goals for the district, Richey shared, “I plan to keep doing the great things we’re doing and look for opportunities to do more.”
The board plans to hire a search firm within the next two or three weeks to begin the process of hiring a new superintendent. The board, community members and employees of the school district will meet to determine what they need out of the new superintendent before the firm can advertise for the position and meet with candidates.
