Chula Vista

John F. Vugrin has been named superintendent of the Chula Vista City School District, succeeding Robert J. McCarthy, who was fired by the school board in September, only two days before the school year began.

Vugrin, who had been acting superintendent since September, has worked for the district for 32 years, as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent.

Joseph D. Cummings, school board president, said that trustees are pleased with the way Vugrin has carried out his duties as interim superintendent.

McCarthy was fired a year after he joined the rapidly growing district, which, with 17,000 students and 33 schools, is the largest elementary district in San Diego County. McCarthy said he was asked to leave because his many initiatives to improve the district’s lackluster academic performance had generated opposition among veteran teachers and administrators.

But longtime district employees said that, while McCarthy had innovative ideas, his aggressive style angered many people and that Vugrin, with his many years of service, was more suited to instituting change.