Spalding new school superintendent
Candidate was instrumental in opening Jesse Bethel High School
The extended process of selecting a new school superintendent for Vallejo Unified has come to an end, as the school board selected William Spalding on Wednesday.
Spalding was chosen from a short-list of five candidates, Board President John Fox said. “We are excited,” he said of Spalding, a sentiment echoed by other trustees.
“We want to make sure we have the people who are going to make Vallejo number one,” said trustee R. Tony Gross. “Maybe now Vallejo can rise up from the ashes and do what we need to do for our kids.”
The selection came after a national search and interviewing a pool of qualified, diverse candidates. In the end, Spalding, with over 30 years of experience in public education, proved to best understand the district’s mission and provided a clear vision for the future of VCUSD, the district said in a news release.
Spalding joins VCUSD after two years as Superintendent of Galt Joint Union High School District (GJUHSD)—a diverse district of approximately 2,200 students located 30 minutes south of Sacramento. While at GJUHSD, Spalding oversaw the near completion of $40 million Measure E Bond projects. These projects, which included significant work and modernization to older campuses and two high school stadiums/fields, were completed on time and on budget.
With Spalding at the helm, Galt Joint Union High School District also had the distinction of being awarded the College Board’s Advanced Placement District of the Year award, one of only three districts in the United States and Canada to achieve this distinction in 2020, and one of only seven district in California to ever receive this honor.
Vice President Dr. A.C. “Tony” Ubalde, Jr., said it was important that the board choose someone who didn’t see Vallejo as a “stepping stone,” but rather someone who would fully invest themselves for the long haul, to “face challenges… and succeed.”
Spalding has roots in Vallejo, where he was instrumental in opening Jesse Bethel High School. He described going to work in Vallejo as “coming home” and said that he is up for the challenge.
“I believe in the community and I believe in our kids,” he said. “They are hungry to learn, grow and succeed… (we are the) brokers of their hopes and dreams and that’s what I hope to do.”
Before taking the position in Vallejo, Spalding has worked as superintendent in districts in both Galt in the Sacramento County and Dos Palos in Merced County.
Former Superintendent Adam Clark left the district roughly three months ago to take a position at Mt. Diablo Unified School District and Mitchell Romao, chief operations officer for Vallejo Unified, had been serving as interim superintendent.
T he board approved Spalding’s contract on Wednesday as well as a salary of $248,000.
His start date has not yet been determined.