Hill wowed by new post as Burbank Unified’s superintendent

At his first regular school board meeting held last week at City Hall, Burbank Unified’s new superintendent Matt Hill said he was having difficulty describing, in one word, his experience working at the district since taking the top post in July.

“I’ve been trying to think of a word to say about my excitement about being here in Burbank. It’s just — wow, I can’t find the right word. The passion, the energy and the commitment in this community is just unreal,” he said last Thursday.

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Hill is also six weeks into a doctoral program he’s enrolled in through Loyola Marymount University with a focus on social justice and leadership, something he anticipates will shape his approach at Burbank Unified.

“What you’ll see from my leadership from this program is really about going into the conversation about what does true dialogue look like? How do we sit down with each individual and get to know each other? And then take those strengths, take those challenges, take those stumbles and continue to improve,” he said.

“You’ll hear me use terms like humility and love and trust. You don’t always hear that from your leader of an organization. But that’s the type of leader I am and believe in,” he added.

He said he appreciates the teachers and staff across the district who are preparing for the new academic year, which begins when students return to school on Monday.

Hill came to the district from Los Angeles Unified, where he was a chief strategy officer. He was hired by the school board during a controversial meeting in April after teachers opposed his hiring, in part, because he does not have a teaching credential and has never taught students in a classroom.

“Thank you for having me here in Burbank,” he added. “It’s been a real treat and I am looking forward to many, many years.”

School board President Charlene Tabet said that she appreciated Hill sharing his thoughts.

“We’re happy to have you here and looking forward to having you here a long time,” she said.

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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan