School Official Leaves Early for New Job

A top administrator in the Simi Valley Unified School District who recently resigned to take a position as a superintendent in Nevada, abruptly cleaned out his desk last week and left the district more than a month ahead of schedule.

Leon Mattingley, assistant superintendent in charge of personnel, confirmed that he had left the district earlier than he had planned but declined to say whether it was voluntary or whether there had been a dispute.

“It’s certainly desirable,” he said, adding that it enabled him to go to Carson City earlier for negotiations on a new house. He said he was using “some accumulated vacation time” from the Simi district.

Supt. Mary Beth Wolford declined to comment, citing confidentiality in personnel matters.

She said that John Absmeier, present director of classified personnel, will temporarily take over Mattingley’s duties.

Mattingley, who won praise from nonteaching, nonadministrative employees after contract negotiations were quickly settled earlier this year, declined to say whether his tasks were complete in Simi Valley.

“I’m sure there are things that need to be done, but I think staff will be able to take care of those,” he said. “I enjoyed my opportunities and valued the friendships I made in Simi Valley.”

Mattingley has overseen personnel for Ventura County’s largest school district since 1990. He begins his new job in July as superintendent of the Carson City School District.

Mattingley will head a unified district of 8,000 students. The Carson district also provides classes to a nearby prison population, teaching adults English as a second language, computer skills and classes needed to earn high school diploma equivalents.

Mattingley will move to northern Nevada with his wife, JoAnn, and daughter, Kimberly.