OUSD hires from within
By Jesse Phelps

At a special meeting Monday evening, the Ojai Unified School District unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Tim Baird as the district's new superintendent, effective July 1.

Baird will replace Dr. Van Riley, who is leaving the district after two-and-a-half years to take the helm of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. Baird has been the district's assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction since he was hired by the district in August 2001.

"Dr. Baird has the exemplary leadership and people skills to lead the OUSD through these difficult times," said Tim Peddicord, the board's president. "I am so pleased that we can move forward with stability and continuity under Tim's leadership. The board unanimously supported this action, knowing that Tim will do an outstanding job as our new superintendent."

Another special board meeting was scheduled Monday for May 20 to put together a contract.

Baird said the district, faced with declining enrollment and budgets, has tough decisions to make. "Those are our two biggest issues," he said. "There are tough times ahead, but the fact that we have such a great people (employed by the district), I know we'll get through this."
Another issue will be "looking at new organization. I'm not envisioning two assistant superintendents," he said. Baird and Jim Berube are both assistant superintendents, though Berube was going to return next fall to his former post as principal of Matilija Junior High School, while retaining some of his duties as the district's finance and building chief.

Baird said it was likely that Berube would remain at the district level, and that the district would seek a new principal for Matilija.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

Back to the news