CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

New Superintendent Named

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District board of trustees announced today that Dr. Fred Navarro will be the new superintendent.

Navarro, who currently is superintendent of the Lennox School District in Lennox, Calif., was chosen from a pool of 50 applications, according to a district statement. After screening and background checks, board members interviewed six candidates, and the finalists faced interviews by a 26-member Community Interview Committee.

“Dr. Navarro is a dedicated professional who cares deeply about educating all students,” President Dave Brooks said in a statement. “His integrity is above reproach, he is accessible, a good communicator and finds ways to get things done. We believe he will serve our students in an outstanding manner.”

Navarro replaces Jeffrey Hubbard, who was fired in January after being convicted of two felony charges of misappropriation of public funds; read our story here.

Earlier this week, seven NMUSD board members visited the Lennox School District and met with more than 20 representatives including teachers, staff, administrators, parents and others, according to the statement.

“The Board was extremely pleased to hear a consistently positive message from the Lennox staff and community about Dr. Navarro as their superintendent,” the district statement said.

“The process has been excellent, both for vetting the candidates and for the board,” said Trustee Katrina Foley in a statement. “We were extremely thorough. I personally asked hard questions and examined each candidate based on a values system demanding integrity, forthrightness, demonstrated true support for students, teachers, and parents, and ability to lead our diverse district into the future. I’m confident in the process and that Dr. Navarro will serve our community well. I’m excited about the future.”

Navarro has more than 30 years’ experience and has held nearly every position within a school district, the statement said.

“I am honored to have been named superintendent for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District,” Navarro said in the district news release. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I look forward to working alongside the Board of Trustees, the staff and faculty, and the parents to ensure that every child succeeds and is prepared to thrive in a 21st Century economy.”

Navarro will be formally introduced at the June 26 board meeting.

Photo courtesy of the NMUSD.