South San Francisco selects new superintendent: Shawnterra Moore will be promoted to top official, under approval from school board

Moore, who previously served as the associate superintendent of Education Services, was selected due in part to her familiarity with the district, which members of the school community identified as a premier qualification they desired for the candidate selected to fill Hogan’s position.

“We wanted to look at somebody who fit well with our district, and knew our district,” said Judy Bush, president of the Board of Trustees.

Moore rose through the administrative ranks after coming to South San Francisco in 2010, and is now slated to take over for Hogan, who quit to take an assistant superintendent position at the Napa Valley Unified School District.

She and fellow Assistant Superintendent Jacqueline McEvoy have handled the administrative responsibilities since April when Hogan announced his intent to leave his post early.

Under Hogan, the district suffered a variety of contentious periods, such as frequent turnover of top officials, racially motivated disputes between students, teachers expressing public dissatisfaction with their pay and a poorly managed bond spending plan which has left officials searching for solutions to an $11 million deficit in their facility improvement fund.

But Bush said Moore’s dedication is one of the reasons she believes the new superintendent is fit to take the reins.

“She’s committed to the district,” Bush said. “She’s committed to the academic achievement and success of our students.”

Moore has more than 15 years experience in education, beginning as a teacher in the Stockton Unified School District, before eventually rising to serve as a principal, prior to joining the district in South San Francisco.

Her ability to develop strong relationships with members of the school community, collaborate with staff and build partnerships with outside local agencies are some of the reasons the board felt comfortable in selecting Moore, according to a district press release.

Moore also oversaw a successful rollout of Common Core curriculum, worked with the Big Lift initiative to implement early education programs for young students in South San Francisco and gained valuable experience during her interim superintendent role, said Bush.

Officials conducted a national search of more than 40 qualified candidates, but ultimately felt Moore was the best fit for the district, according to the press release.

“The board believes that Dr. Moore has district experience, curriculum and educational program skills, leadership and administrative acumen and values that will enhance opportunities and outcomes for all of our students,” according to the report.

Moore, who comes from a family of educators, will assume her new position Aug. 1, pending board approval.

Perspective and input from community members who expressed interest in seeing someone from the district promoted to the top post was invaluable in leading to the board landing on Moore as the most qualified candidate, according to the press release.

“She has the best skills to match our needs,” said Bush.

The South San Francisco Unified School District meets Thursday, July 23, at Baden Adult School, 825 Southwood Drive. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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