San Francisco's Board of Education has announced that it's selected Vincent Matthews, who's worked in education for 30 years, to serve as the school district's next superintendent.
The board approved Matthews' selection at its meeting Tuesday, April 4.
"We wanted to make sure that we picked the best leader for the district, focused on student equity, social justice, and improving the climate for our educators and school personnel. We chose someone with a wealth of instructional experience, leadership experience and personal knowledge of SFUSD," school board President Shamann Walton said in a March 29 news release announcing Matthews' selection.
Matthews, who's worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, stated that his selection leading the San Francisco Unified School District is "an honor and a privilege."
"Having been a student in the district I believe I owe so much to the staff members, educators, and caring adults who delivered a high quality rigorous education to me," he said. "I look forward to working with our current staff to provide each and every student the quality instruction and equitable support required to thrive in the 21st century."
Myong Leigh, a gay man, had been serving as interim superintendent and had applied to hold the job permanently. Former Superintendent Richard A. Carranza left the post last summer to lead the Houston Independent School District Board of Education.
Walton said, "We searched for a superintendent that would be dedicated to SFUSD and its students for the long haul. [Matthews] was born in San Francisco, went to preschool, elementary, junior high, high school, and university right here in San Francisco. He started his teaching and administrative career right here in SF. We are all proud."
Matthews currently serves the California Department of Education as the state-appointed superintendent of Inglewood Unified School District.
Before that, San Francisco district officials said, he worked for more than five years as superintendent of the San Jose Unified School District, "where he is credited with raising academic achievement, narrowing the achievement gap between Latino and white students, and passing landmark agreements with the San Jose teacher's union."
District spokespeople didn't respond to a request to interview Matthews.