New Superintendent for Soquel Union Elementary School District

It is with great pleasure that the Soquel Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees announces the appointment of Scott Turnbull as the new District Superintendent effective July 1, 2016. The Board is confident that Mr. Turnbull will build upon the foundation of excellent programs already in place in the District. Mr. Turnbull’s qualifications and experience very closely match the Leadership Profile developed by the Board and the school community in the search process.

The Board retained the services of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, a national school executive search firm, to assist them in an extensive process involving many members and groups in our five schools and the community. Mr. Turnbull was selected from an outstanding field of 42 candidates. The selection process included stakeholder focus groups and interviews, two rounds of candidate interviews and a site visit to our finalist’s current district by two board members.

Mr. Turnbull holds a Master’s Degree in Education and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cal Poly Pomona. He is currently serving as Superintendent/Principal of Vista Del Mar School District in Gaviota, CA. Throughout his 26-year career as a public educator, he has been a classroom teacher, teacher on special assignment, assistant principal, principal, principal on special assignment and director prior to his position at Vista Del Mar.

Mr. Turnbull states, “It is indeed an honor and a privilege to have been selected as Superintendent of Soquel Union Elementary School District. I have served in one of the largest K-8 systems in California (Ontario-Montclair) and one of the smallest (Vista Del Mar). These experiences have served as crucibles of learning in preparation for this newest leadership position.

Along the way I have found that collaboration with staff, parents, and community is the most meaningful, effective and rewarding part of educating our youth. SUESD is a learning community dedicated to educating the whole child in an effort to nurture well-rounded students and lifelong learners. I am excited to carry on that tradition and in leading new ways to enrich it. I am humbled and thrilled for this opportunity to serve as Soquel’s Superintendent.”

Judy McGooden, Soquel Union Elementary School District Board President said, “After extensive reflection, our Board selected Mr. Turnbull from an extraordinarily talented candidate list. We believe he exemplifies SUESD’s core beliefs for student success and we welcome him and his family to our community.”

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Soquel Union Elementary School District took formal action to approve the new contract during a regular meeting on April 20, 2016 held in New Brighton Middle School’s Performing Arts Center in Capitola.