|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees has named Interim Superintendent Maurice Ghysels as the top choice for the district’s new permanent leader, following two months of candidate interviews and nearly a full year since former superintendent David Haglund left his post.
Board President Justin Brown said in a statement Tuesday that Ghysels, who came out of retirement to lead his hometown district in a temporary capacity in 2024-25, will remain as the top administrator in Pleasanton due to his familiarity with the community and with the school system’s needs.
“Through his steady, inclusive, and visionary leadership during the past year, our Interim Superintendent Dr. Maurice Ghysels has proven himself as the right leader for PUSD,” Brown said in his statement to the Pleasanton Weekly. “He exemplifies the full range of qualities we sought in our search and is well-positioned to guide the district forward with confidence and continuity.”
Ghysels was first appointed to his interim position in July 2024 following Haglund’s departure from PUSD that June.
An Amador Valley High School graduate, Ghysels initially started his career in education at PUSD as a teacher before ultimately going on to become the Mountain View Whisman School District superintendent from 2005 to 2010, the Menlo Park City School District superintendent from 2011 to 2016, and the chief innovations officer in the Ravenswood City School District from 2017 to 2018.
Even though Ghysels retired from public employement in 2018, he later founded the Ghysels Group, which works with school districts on strategic planning, management and leadership change, and organizational development.
When Ghysels first joined PUSD as the interim superintendent, he saw himself as a substitute superintendent because one of his main goals during his one-year tenure was to set the district up with its next permanent superintendent.
And for the past year, he and the district worked hard on setting up listening tours and working with consultants to build a leadership profile for what kind of person the community wanted to see at the helm.
According to a letter of agreement approved by the Board of Trustees on June 27, 2024, the district spent about $14,000 for executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to conduct that listening phase of the superintendent search.
Then, the board agreed to approve a $30,000 base consulting fee with HYA this past February for the search firm to continue aiding the district with its search for the permanent superintendent, which ended up being Ghysels.
The decision to move forward with Ghysels comes after several weeks of impromptu closed-session special board meetings during the months of May and June related to the superintendent search. The board was previously poised to discuss an employment contract for a permanent leader at the beginning of June before the district canceled the meeting last minute.
“Over the past two months, we interviewed a good cross-section of candidates, looking for a leader with the experience, vision, and skill to maintain PUSD’s excellence in education, support and retain exceptional staff across all roles, foster a positive district culture, effectively manage budget challenges, and advance our bond program,” Brown said. “While many had much to offer, we ultimately concluded that the best choice is one with whom our community is already familiar.”
The board will consider approving a two-year contract to appoint Ghysels to the role as superintendent during Thursday’s meeting.
If approved, the employment agreement stipulates that Ghysels will take over as the permanent superintendent starting July 1 and will continue to serve in that capacity until June 30, 2027.
The contract includes a base annual salary of $345,000 for the 2025–2026 school year. The total cost for his temporary contract was previously estimated at $283,340. According to the June 26 contract, in addition to other increases Ghysels’ salary may be increased each year.
The board can vote to increase his salary each year but the increase in salary “shall not extend the term of this agreement”.
“The Superintendent’s salary is understood by the Parties to be ‘indefinite or uncertain’,” according to the employment agreement. “Therefore, the Board reserves the right to grant the superintendent retroactive salary increases notwithstanding anything in the California Constitution that might be interpreted to the contrary.”
The agreement also allows Ghysels eligibility for “advanced degree stipends consistent with those provided to certificated management employees (1.5% for a Master’s and 2.5% for a Doctorate, based on the final step of the Elementary Principal salary schedule)”.
While Ghysels is not eligible for health benefits paid by the district, he will receive a $500 monthly auto allowance and other benefits given to certificated administrators including sick leave accrual, a district-provided cell phone and “professional organization dues”.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important process,” Brown said. “We remain committed to ensuring the strongest possible leadership for our students, staff, and community.”
Pilot’s report of ‘erratically’ flying paraglider triggers search at SLAC campusJanuary 19, 2026 11:20 am
Ownership change brings new flavors to this 70-year-old Palo Alto ice cream institutionJanuary 19, 2026 2:24 pm