Pajaro Valley Unified School District on Friday named its new superintendent.
The district’s Board of Trustees appointed Heather Contreras in closed session during its March 13 board meeting.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Heather Contreras as our new Superintendent,” Board President Georgia Acosta stated in a press release. “With her decades of experience in Educational Leadership and her dedication to student empowerment we are confident she will be an Administrator that will guide our District with passion and a sense of purpose.”
Contreras holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from CSU Stanislaus, and has been serving in education for 22 years.
Her experience includes teaching primary, intermediate and junior high school grades, serving as a site administrator at several schools and district office leadership for the past seven years.
Contreras has spent the last four years as the Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership for Modesto City Schools.
A district that boasts a population of roughly 30,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
With a population of roughly 218,000, Modesto is located in the Central Valley, about an hour south of Sacramento. Approximately 42.6% of its population is Latino or Hispanic and just over 57% are white, according to United States Census information.
According to Acosta, Contreras taught at the collegiate level preparing teachers for their administrative credentials. She also presents in doctoral programs, Acosta said.
Contreras is a member of the California Educational Partners Collaborative, which is a network of educators examining and promoting change ideas around student outcomes.
“Her passion for making a positive difference extends far beyond the walls of the classroom, inspiring those around her to join in her mission of creating a brighter future for all,” Acosta stated.
She also served as adjunct instructor of education at CSU Turlock, and was Principal at Delhi Unified School District.
The Superintendent position opened last year when Michelle Rodriguez left.
The Board of Trustees will approve Contreras’ contract at an upcoming meeting.
