The San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the contract for the district’s new superintendent Wednesday night and Dr. Laurie Bruton is scheduled to begin her new job leading SLV schools on July 1.
Bruton has a master’s degree in educational administration and a doctorate of education in organizational leadership.
She has spent three decades in education, most of those years at Bear Valley Unified School District serving as a teacher and principal at an elementary school, then as a high school principal and finally as an assistant superintendent.
Bruton is currently serving as an assistant superintendent for the Whittier City School District in Whittier.
Reached via email, Bruton said the San Lorenzo Valley was especially appealing after talking to her daughter, who ran cross-country at UC Irvine with several girls from San Lorenzo Valley High, and even spent time during a summer in SLV.
“She said, ‘Mom, it will remind you of home,” Bruton said.
One of those girls from SLV was Kelli Deane, who told Bruton “she feels like she takes the security and caring of SLV everywhere she goes.”
“Any place that builds kids who believe people in the schools care about them as people and students, and that helps kids feel safe, confident and ready to contribute to the world is a place I want to be part of,” said Bruton, adding that she’s honored by the selection.
Bruton’s contract with SLVUSD will pay her about $170,000 per year. The district employed a search firm for $21,500 to find her.
After gathering input on what kind of superintendent the community wanted, it located about two dozen candidates for the board to choose from.
“Dr. Bruton was selected as our finalist from an outstanding field of candidates,” said Board President Laura Dolson in a press release. “Her experience and credentials are exactly what we need in San Lorenzo Valley as we move our district forward in partnership with our community to expand opportunities for our students.
“Dr. Bruton’s extensive experience in instructional leadership and strong partnerships with employees will be a tremendous asset in providing leadership as the district continues its focus on improving the quality of our students’ education.”
Bruton will replace Julie Haff, who spent more than 30 years with the district and a dozen as superintendent before announcing her retirement.
In a phone interview on Tuesday, Board member George Wylie said Haff did an excellent job and Bruton will inherit an extremely well run school district.
“Frankly, we are doing swell,” Wylie said. “Facilities are up to date, kids scores are increasing. … The district is doing very well.”
Wylie said Bruton’s deep credentials, the fact that she had a doctorate of education, had been an elementary teacher, a principal at both the elementary and high school levels, and then an assistant superintendent at two different school districts, made her stand out.
“She’s got a long list of credentials and experience and she’s very personable,” he said. “She’s spent a lot of time in classrooms. I think she will do very well.”
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