New interim superintendent selected for NMCUSD
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) Update Sept. 5, 2023, at 3:57 P.m.- The North Monterey County Unified School District Board of Education has selected an interim superintended after agreeing to part ways with former Superintendent Kari Yeater.
Retired superintendent, Steve Betando, will now take the reigns until a permanent superintendent is found. He served as superintendent of Morgan Hill Unified School District from 2013 to 2021.
“We are pleased to announce that our district will have an experienced and skilled leader to serve as Interim Superintendent for the 2023-24 school year,” said Elizabeth Samuels, Board President. “This appointment will allow the board to focus on finding the next permanent superintendent. This important process will include numerous opportunities for our families, staff, and community members to provide their input on the characteristics they would like to see in the next leader of NMCUSD.”
Betando will begin serving as superintendent on September 5. He will work with the Board of Education, support the superintendent's cabinet who will manage the day-to-day operations within the district, and support the school sites.
The following will be done in the search for a new superintendent:
The Board of Education will seek proposals from identified California executive
search firms for superintendents.
- The Board of Education will seek proposals from California executive search firms for superintendents.
- Select and approve a firm at a public board meeting.
- The selected firm will work with the Board to identify the process and timeline,
which typically includes several components such as community/staff surveys,
focus groups, and candidate recruitment, vetting, interview and selection
process. - The timeline from identifying the open position to selecting and onboarding a new
Superintendent is between 3-6 months
ORIGINAL STORY
The North Monterey County Unified School District Board of Education reached a separation agreement with Superintendent Kari Yeater at their Thursday meeting.
A “satisfactory or better” job evaluation of the superintendent for the 2022-23 school year was also accepted and approved, this included a contractually required pay raise.
The district will buy out the 12 months based on the "terms of Yeater’s employment contract and she will step down effective August 31, 2023," said the school district.
“We would like to thank Superintendent Yeater for 18 years of service to our school district community and 12 years as superintendent,” said Elizabeth Samuels, Board President. “Over that time, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in navigating complex negotiations and managing the challenges posed by the pandemic. We wish her the very best.”
Yeater cited the following successes during her tenure:
- The development of a multitude of career pathway certifications and dual enrollment opportunities
- The district’s long-term arts integration partnership with the Kennedy Center
- The expansion of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math into all grade levels
- The district’s Community Schools model, provides a multitude of wraparound services for students and families
- An expanded parent education and parent ambassador program
- An award-winning farm-to-table wellness approach championed by the district’s child nutrition service team
“My heart will always hold a special place for North Monterey County USD,” said Yeater. “I am truly in awe of our students. They are bright, future leaders who are kind, talented, and thoughtful, and who will be a voice in guiding the parents, staff, and community members in what they want to see in their school community. I encourage everyone to work together with the Board of Education during this transition to ensure that our North Monterey County students receive support, have a voice, and truly thrive.”
The board is working with the superintendent of the Monterey County Office of Education to find an interim superintendent for the rest of the school year.
Mary Dawson, the current Associate Superintendent for Business Services, will be the acting superintendent.
The board is also beginning the process of finding the next superintendent of NMCUSD.
