Superintendent Mark Marshall is resigning after eight years leading Los Banos Unified School District to take a job with a larger district in Fresno.
Marshall, 58, will become the new Superintendent of the Central Unified School District following the dismissal of Superintendent Ketti Davis in March. Davis spent three decades with the district, serving as superintendent for nearly three years.
Central Unified has about 16,000 students and over 20 campuses, compared to Los Banos’ 11,000 students with 15 schools.
During his eight year in Los Banos, Marshall said he is proud of the “remarkable progress” made in academic performance across all grade levels. Much of that, he said came after the district “successfully implemented innovative curriculum and instructional strategies that have enriched our students’ educational experiences.”
In the past year, Marhsall was involved in creating a successful “Dual Language Immersion Program” and securing a $20.1 million Community Schools Implementation grant spread of five years, a $2.2 million Social Behavior Incentive Program grant. Among many accolades in athletics, and the district’s renowned FFA programs, LBUSD also had 89 students pass Advanced Placement exams last year.
Marhsall was the leader of the district during one of its most trying times, the COVID-19 pandemic closure of more than an entire school year. During that time, he kept the district’s kitchens open so students and some of their families could be fed. He also was instrumental in the passage of Measure X, a bond measure that allowed major improvements in LBUSD’s schools, including the renovation of Loftin Stadium.
Marhsall was hired in 2017, coming to Los Banos from Eastside Union School District in Lancaster where he was superintendent for five years.
In a statement released Monday morning to the Westside Express, Marshall said he originally intended to finish his career in Los Banos.
“As many of you may remember, I shared that I was contemplating retiring at the end of the next school year. After thoughtful consideration and reflection, I realized that retirement didn’t sound that appealing after all.
Like all educators, I am a lifelong learner and the desire to continue to learn brought a new opportunity forward for my consideration. I have accepted a position with a larger, urban district that will present me with new challenges and opportunities and allow me to continue to grow as an educational leader, while applying the valuable lessons learned during my time in LBUSD.
Although I look forward to this new chapter, I am filled with gratitude for the extraordinary experiences we’ve shared. ,” Marshall wrote.
“Our partnerships with local businesses and community organizations have flourished, creating valuable opportunities for our students and strengthening the fabric of our community. Perhaps most gratifying has been witnessing the tremendous growth in parent and community engagement in our schools, creating a true educational partnership that benefits every student.”
The LBUSD Board of Education will develop a plan for this leadership transition, and Marshall said he would help. “I am committed to ensuring this transition is smooth and that the district’s positive momentum continues uninterrupted.”
Marshall said the groundwork has been established for “even greater achievements in the years ahead.”
“The true strength of this remarkable district has always been its people, the passionate educators, dedicated staff, engaged parents, supportive community members, and, of course, our inspiring students. This powerful community will continue to thrive and reach new heights of educational excellence.”
