Temporary Schools Chief Signs Contract

Simi Valley’s latest interim superintendent, the third in eight years, has signed a $510-a-day contract with the school board, agreeing to start work in early April until a permanent leader is found.

Award-winning educator Kenneth L. Moffett and trustees from the Simi Valley Unified School District completed the agreement Tuesday.

Speaking Wednesday from his office at Pepperdine University, where he is a distinguished educator in residence, Moffett said he is looking forward to his new temporary job.

“I don’t think I’ll do anything innovative, though” said the 62-year-old Manhattan Beach resident. “Six months is too short. But I’m hoping . . . to lay the groundwork for a good superintendent to come in.”

Moffett’s daily salary also includes a car and mileage allowance of $450 a month. The contract does not include health benefits.

Moffett, who had been superintendent of the Lennox Elementary School District for two decades, replaces Dan Flynn, who was ousted in February after three months on the job.

Moffett said he sees Flynn frequently, as Flynn is still enrolled in a class that Moffett teaches for beginning superintendents at Pepperdine. Flynn was one of the first people to send Moffett a congratulations card after his selection for the interim post, Moffett said.

Since 1990, the Simi Valley school district has had five permanent and two interim superintendents. Two weeks ago, trustees hired the California School Boards Assn. to help them search for a permanent leader who will take over from Moffett.

Moffett, who was selected 1994 national and state Superintendent of the Year, is not the only superintendent on the Simi Valley district payroll.

Part of Flynn’s resignation package stipulates that he be paid a total of $32,000 through June 10. And Tate Parker, the superintendent who was dismissed before Flynn, is still being paid the remainder of his $81,000 in severance through Aug. 31.