School superintendent retiring

Nearly two years after taking the post, San Carlos Superintendent Steven Mitrovich announced his retirement Wednesday.

The San Carlos Elementary School District Board of Trustees is already searching for an interim leader, hopefully to be named before Mitrovich’s last day, July 31. Mitrovich began in San Carlos in 2007. He noted a desire to spend more time with his family in Mount Shasta as a catalyst for the decision.

"This is a great town, with superior schools, extraordinary teachers, experienced administrators and committed and involved parents and community members who value their public schools. That’s why San Carlos children receive an excellent education, and I am proud to have helped move forward our vision for engaging the whole child by providing a personal, creative and challenging education which fosters life-long learning. Although this is the right personal decision for me and my family, I wish nothing but the best for this community,” Mitrovich wrote in a prepared statement.

Board President Carrie Du Bois was disappointed at the announcement, but understood.

"The school board and the whole community are deeply grateful to Steve for the amazing work he has done over the last two years for the San Carlos School District,” said board President Carrie Du Bois. "Steve and his team have accomplished much over the last two years, definitely moving the district forward. He will be missed.”

The board wasted no time beginning to plan. It secured the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd., which will help with the search for both an interim and permanent superintendent, said Du Bois. Two candidates were already identified for the interim position, she added.

Naming an interim will give the district time to truly search for a long-term fit.

Mitrovich came to San Carlos in 2007. In his role, Mitrovich has recruited a number of employees into key positions, improved relationships with the San Carlos Teachers Association, strengthened the relationship between the school district and the larger community, improved and supported educational initiatives, finalized the remodeling and modernization of programs through voter-approved bond money and provided leadership during the push for the recently-approved parcel tax, according to a district press release.

Mitrovich graduated high school in 1970 then attended community college before enrolling at California State University at Chico and earning his bachelor’s degree in social science in 1974, and his teaching credential the following year.

He held teaching positions in a number of cities: Tillamook, Ore., Cottonwood, San Andreas, Yreka and Redding. In Redding, Mitrovich was a high school assistant principal for five years at two different schools in the area, then an elementary school principal for four years.

He continued his climb up the administrative ladder, taking a position as the superintendent and principal of the North Cow Creek School District — a kindergarten through eighth grade school in Northern California with about 300 students.

Mitrovich spent more than five years as the superintendent of the Mount Shasta Union School District. Mitrovich also served as the superintendent of the Weed Union Elementary School District.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.