Matthews to Step Down as Manhattan Beach USD Superintendent
Apr 13, 2021 11:18AM ● By Jeanne FratelloManhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent Mike Matthews confirmed in an email to the school community today that he would be stepping down at the end of the school year.
Last summer, Matthews had asked the board not to renew his contract, which expires on June 30, 2021. Matthews confirmed today that it was "no easy decision" but he would stand by his decision not to return.
Matthews joined MBUSD as superintendent on July 1, 2010. As superintendent, he works with a five-member school board and a four-member cabinet to supervise 8 schools, more than 700 employees,
and nearly 7,000 students.
MBUSD is a high-achieving district, in which all schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools or California Distinguished schools. The district features high-performing programs that consistently earn national and international accolades, including Mira Costa High School's internationally recognized Model United Nations program and its GRAMMY-award winning band program. MBUSD is also a National Green Ribbon District and a leader in renewable education.
Previously, Matthews had served as assistant superintendent at the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. He received bachelor's and master's degrees at Stanford, and a doctorate in educational management from Pepperdine.
Message from the Superintendent
The text of the message from Matthews read as follows:
To the MBUSD Community,
It
has been a heck of a year. The pandemic challenged all of us in ways we
have never known before. We fought through it, and as the county
allowed, we brought our employees and students back to school safely.
Next week, we begin every-day-of-the-week instruction for our students
who selected in-person learning. It feels like the light at the end of
the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter, bringing hope to us all.
With
that light shining brighter, I am announcing today that after eleven
years as your superintendent, it is time for me to take on my next
challenge in life. Last year, at the July 8, 2020 Board Meeting, I asked
the Board not to extend my contract, which ends on June 30, 2021. I
have informed the board that I have not changed my mind, and believe
me, it was no easy decision. I have loved every year in this district.
It has been an honor to work alongside the dedicated and caring
employees of MBUSD, striving together to create ever-improving academic
environments for our students. And it has been an honor to serve the
students and families of MBUSD, who give so much to help this district
be an example of excellence for others to emulate.
I’m
so proud of all we have done together since 2010 - the curricular
changes, the construction that has transformed and revitalized our
campuses, the partnerships we have developed, the leaders who have risen
from our ranks, the awards we have won, and the way we have become a
truly unified district, with teachers and employees learning together
and from each other. It’s a long list, and all of us should celebrate
what we have accomplished together.
In
my life I have served as a high school teacher, an assistant principal,
a middle school principal, a high school principal, an assistant
superintendent, and as a superintendent. I am 59 years old, but I am not
planning on retiring, yet. I have always been a fan of change, for both
organizations and individuals, as I believe it helps both to grow. Mark
Twain said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the
things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off
the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in
your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” I’ve done just that many times in
my career, and I have never regretted any of the changes I have made.
My next adventure could be anything, and I look forward to whatever that
is. While I have no firm plans for what is next, I’m genuinely excited
about what lies ahead.
It
is not yet time for goodbye. There is a ton of work to be done between
now and June 30, and I look forward to finishing this school year
strongly, and preparing for the 2021-22 school year. The Board will
formally begin the search process for my replacement this week. MBUSD
Board President Jen Fenton will soon share information about the process
with all of you.
With the greatest of respect and gratitude,
|
Mike Matthews
MBUSD Superintendent