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Carlsbad Unified board appoints Rick Schmidt as interim superintendent
Summary
Carlsbad Unified trustees appointed Rick (Richard) Schmidt as interim superintendent, effective Dec. 2, 2024, and approved an interim contract that pays $1,350 per full day worked; the contract anticipates employment through June 30, 2025, and passed 5-0 in open session.
Carlsbad Unified School District trustees on Nov. 20 approved the appointment of Rick Schmidt as interim superintendent, effective Dec. 2, 2024, and voted 5-0 in favor of an open-session contract that sets a daily rate of $1,350.
The board announced the appointment after closed session and later asked the board to approve a public contract. The contract, read into the record and approved in open session, anticipates that Schmidt may be employed up to June 30, 2025, but contains no promise of continued employment beyond the interim term. The agreement states the interim superintendent will generally work the equivalent of about three weekdays per week, will not receive health and welfare benefits or paid vacation during the term, and will be covered by district insurance policies, including workers' compensation.
In describing his plans, Rick Schmidt said he appreciated the opportunity and looked forward to starting on Dec. 2. "This is an amazing district ... I can't wait for December 2nd to come around and I look forward to meeting at least three of you individually here in the next couple weeks," Schmidt said after the board voted.
Trustees earlier told the public a press release would be sent to staff and the community. The board announced that the appointment in closed session was made on a motion by Trustee Ward with a second by Trustee Verth and a closed-session vote of 5-0; the open-session contract was subsequently approved by roll-call vote in which the trustees recorded unanimous support.
Why it matters: The interim contract defines pay, schedule and benefits (or the absence of them) for the district's leadership through the transition to a permanent superintendent. The board said the appointment is intended to provide continuity while staff begin the process of onboarding the interim and preparing for a search for a permanent replacement.
What’s next: The district will issue a press release to staff and the community with details of Schmidt's start date and responsibilities.
