State appoints new leader for Inglewood Unified
The California Department of Education has tapped a San Francisco Bay Area superintendent to lead the financially troubled Inglewood Unified School District as it rounds its third year under state control.
San Jose Unified Supt. Vincent Matthews has been appointed to serve as state administrator for the 13,000-student Inglewood school district, which fell under state control in October 2012 after the governor and the legislature granted it a $55-million emergency loan.
Since then, the district has seen a steady stream of state-appointed leaders.
Matthews will become the fourth state trustee in Inglewood. He replaces trustee Don Brann, who earlier this year announced plans to step down.
Before becoming the superintendent in San Jose, Matthews led the Oakland Unified School District during a state takeover, eventually handing the reins back to the board of education. He also was an area superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District.
“As we enter a new phase in the path toward local control, building on a strong financial foundation with robust academic programs is my priority,” State Supt. of Schools Tom Torlakson said. “There are very few leaders who have led districts under state receivership and Dr. Matthews is one of them. His experience and passion are the right fit at the right time for the Inglewood school community.”
Nine school districts have sought emergency loans from the state since 1990 in an effort to stay afloat. Those requests triggered automatic state takeover.
Twitter: @zahiratorres
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