VENTURA : Spirito Named Superintendent

In his 32 years in education, Joseph Spirito has worked as a teacher, principal and administrator.

Now the board of the Ventura Unified School District has given Spirito, 58, a new title: superintendent.

The board voted unanimously Tuesday to name Spirito chief administrator of the 15,000-student district. Spirito, who has served as interim superintendent since August, was awarded a three-year contract that will pay him $84,392 a year plus benefits.

The contract will officially take effect Jan. 1 and run through Jan. 1, 1996. Spirito will then be given the option of renewing his contract.

Spirito, the district’s former superintendent of educational services, was named acting superintendent Aug. 25 after former Supt. Cesare Caldarelli Jr. resigned to take a job at a suburban Chicago school district.

As superintendent, Spirito said his top priority will be to ensure the financial solvency of the district, which is now threatened with bankruptcy because of its retiree benefits program.

Spirito said the district can no longer afford to pay for the benefits program, which this year will cost more than $3 million. The district is working with the teachers union to resolve the issue.

“We can’t afford to wait another year. We don’t have the luxury,” Spirito said.

Meanwhile, board members cited Spirito’s extensive experience, energetic style and close ties with teachers and parents as the major reasons for giving him the job.