The Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) Board of Education last week announced that it had selected Alejandro Ruvalcaba as the district’s next superintendent following a comprehensive search process that included input from parents, students, district employees and community members.
“Dr. Ruvalcaba has a proven track record of supporting students and increasing student achievement,” Board President Brandy Clark said in a release from the district. “His leadership is collaborative, he is someone who will help unite our community behind the work of our staff in meeting the needs of all of our students.”
Ruvalcaba, currently serves as the superintendent of Rosemead School District, a role he has held since 2018. Prior to this, he was the assistant superintendent of human resources and the assistant superintendent of secondary education for Upland Unified School District. He also served as principal at the middle and high school levels at West Covina Unified School District and Pasadena Unified School District and has taught all middle school grades, specializing in English language development, according to MVUSD.
“It is an honor to be selected as the finalist for the superintendent position at Moreno Valley Unified School District,” Ruvalcaba, who is slated to start July 1, said in the release. “I am deeply committed to fostering an environment where every student can succeed and thrive.”
The announcement came roughly eight months after the board fired Superintendent Martinrex Kedziora in a split vote following the announcement that the district had approved a $27 million settlement agreement in connection with the bullying death of 13-year-old Diego Stolz.
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At that time, Robert Verdi, the district’s chief human resources officer, was appointed interim superintendent.
Friday’s announcement came just days after the board accepted the resignation of Board Member Jesus Holguin, effective June 28.
“Serving on the board of the Moreno Valley Unified School District has been a tremendous honor and privilege, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our community in this capacity,” he said in his resignation letter. “However, as I reflect on my personal and professional commitments, I believe it is time for me to step down and focus on other aspects of my life.”
Holguin, whose term extends through 2026, said in the letter that he would remain committed to “supporting the mission and values” of the school district. The board tabled the discussion on how to fill the soon-to-be vacant seat, requesting additional time to consider the options available to them.
“I feel like we’ve been put in a difficult situation with a tight timeline,” Board Clerk Susan Smith said. “And we don’t have time to make a measured, thoughtful decision, and I don’t like that.”
The board is set to continue its discussion on how to move forward with filling the seat and approve Ruvacaba’s offer of employment at the regularly scheduled June 11 meeting.
The meeting in which the board decided to move forward with Ruvalcaba was neither streamed nor recorded, according to the posted agenda.
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