Superintendent's message

Dennis Smith To Retire As Superintendent of
the Placentia-Yorba Linda USD

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Superintendent Dennis Smith announced today that he will retire at the end of this school year.

An educator for 38 years, Smith concludes 12 years as Superintendent of the award-winning, 26,000-student Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

As PYLUSD Superintendent, Dr. Smith has been instrumental in leading the school district’s many significant accomplishments. These achievements include dramatically raising the level of technology in PYLUSD schools; leading the effort to build new schools and renovate existing ones; and, most importantly, raising the level of academic achievement of an already high-performing school district.

Dr. Smith is very visible and highly respected throughout schools, the community and in the education field. He is a frequent visitor to schools and makes it a priority to know staff members by name. His leadership style is to build a culture in the PYLUSD where individuals genuinely care about each other which results in a dramatic difference for students. Even in the toughest of times as is the case with the State’s budget crisis that has affected all school districts in Southern California, Dennis Smith inspires. “We need to stay calm, work as a team, plan ahead, and position ourselves in the best possible scenario” is his consistent message to the district’s 2,500 employees and 16,000 families—a message that has galvanized everyone to work together.

In a message to staff regarding his retirement, he humbly shared that, “it has been my honor to have served with such an incredible and outstanding group of professionals. Our Board of Education, managers, teaching staff and classified are second to none! Each and every person has always had the welfare of students as their first priority.”

Superintendent Smith has been an educator for 38 years, formerly serving as superintendent in five uniquely different school districts: Laguna Beach Unified, Cajon Valley Union, Irvine Unified, and Orange Public Schools in Florida, the 14 th largest school district in the Unified States. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent.

Dr. Smith received a B.A. and M.A. from Arizona State and a doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Arizona. He was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Executive Educators in North America” by the National School Boards Association and as one of the “89 Rising Stars in Southern California” by the Los Angeles Times. In 2004, he was named Orange County Superintendent of the Year and in 2008 was selected by KABC Radio in Los Angeles as the “Best Boss in Southern California.” He currently serves as President of the highly respected Southern California Superintendents’ Association.

December 5, 2011

Dear Families and Staff:

Like our favorite books, each of our careers in education has a beginning, middle and an end. After much thought and reflection, I have decided that after 12 fulfilling years as superintendent of the PYLUSD this year will mark my final chapter as superintendent, and I have informed the Board of Education of my intent to retire at the end of this school year.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 38 years as an educator and it has been my honor to have served with such an incredible and outstanding group of professionals. Our Board of Education, teaching and classified staff are second to none! Each and every person has always had the welfare of students as their first priority. This has resulted in an award-winning school district that has seen student achievement levels reach all-time highs, an amazing transformation of school facilities across the district, and a tradition of meeting the needs of every child.

I can tell you it has truly been a pleasure to work with each of you, but now is not the time for sad goodbyes. We have many months left in the 2011-12 school year and there is plenty of work to be done on behalf of our 26,000 students. Nevertheless, please allow me to take this opportunity to thank you once again for all of your daily efforts and for choosing to make a difference in the lives of children!

You will hear from the Board of Education on the very thoughtful and deliberate process that will be used in considering the selection of the new PYLUSD superintendent.

Dennis

Dennis Smith To Retire As Superintendent of the Placentia-Yorba Linda USD

Dennis Smith To Retire As Superintendent of
the Placentia-Yorba Linda USD