Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel.superintendent topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
La Canada Unified names Deborah Craddock as next superintendent
Summary
After a nationwide search, the La Canada Unified School District chose Dr. Deborah Craddock, a 16‑year district educator and administrator, as its next superintendent; the board directed its ad hoc team to finalize contract terms ahead of a March 24 meeting.
The La Canada Unified School District governing board announced Feb. 24 that it has selected Dr. Deborah Craddock as the district’s next superintendent.
Board President Anderson told the room that, following a rigorous vetting process led by ESS search consultants, the board chose Dr. Craddock, calling her the district’s first ‘‘homegrown’’ superintendent. Anderson said the selection was the product of community engagement, essay responses, and a live crisis‑scenario exercise used during interviews.
ESS consultant Gary Rutherford said the search included more than 700 community touchpoints — surveys, focus groups and forums — and yielded 22 candidates. He described a staged evaluation that included written essays and a 45‑minute crisis exercise; he said Dr. Craddock earned a ‘‘unanimous endorsement’’ from the board after interviews.
Dr. Craddock, who identified herself as having 16 years of service in the district as a principal and in human resources, said she was ‘‘truly thrilled and deeply honored’’ to be selected and thanked staff, families and the board. She noted the choice represented a continuation of local leadership rooted in district experience.
The board did not finalize contract terms that night. President Anderson said the selection will become official once contract details are completed and asked the board to direct the ad hoc committee (Joe and Josh) to negotiate language ‘‘comparable to the language in the existing superintendent’s contract’’ and to determine salary terms commensurate with Dr. Craddock’s experience. Board members gave consensus direction to delegate negotiations to the ad hoc committee and signaled intent to complete the contract by the board’s next meeting on March 24; the superintendent’s anticipated start date was noted as Aug. 1.
The board and several members publicly thanked outgoing Superintendent Wendy Sennett for her service; colleagues described a lengthy transition and praised the search process and finalist.
What happens next: The ad hoc committee will negotiate contract terms with Dr. Craddock, to be reviewed or finalized by the board at its March 24 meeting. Any formal employment contract must be executed and posted according to district practice.
