New superintendent says he's anxious to get to work

School board members made their decision official last week, introducing Mario Contini as the next superintendent of Conejo Valley Unified School District.

Contini, a longtime resident of Thousand Oaks, has spent the last 11 years as head of Fillmore Unified School District. He's replacing Superintendent Robert Fraisse, who's leaving to take a position at California Lutheran University.

Board members voted 5-0 in closed session to appoint Contini, concluding a six-month search process that was directed by the Ventura County Office of Education.

Board President Pat Phelps' announcement of the selection at the beginning of the May 23 meeting was followed by a thundering round of applause from the audience, and a few short words from the incoming superintendent.

"I've got to tell you, I am so thrilled and so excited," said the well-spoken, salt-and-pepper haired Contini. "This is a phenomenal district, by far one of the best in the country, and I intend to do everything I can to live up to the expectations."

Contini's 20-year-old son, Mario, and 94-year-old mother, Rosaria, attended, along with a few members of Contini's current district staff. Rosaria Contini is a celebrity in CVUSD in her own right, having been a substitute teacher in the district until she was 90 years old.

"When I'm shopping around in town I run into people constantly who had Mom as a sub, going back many, many years," Contini said. "She subbed until she was about 90 years old. She's one of the legends in the state in those regards."

As he prepares to take his seat as the new chief of Conejo Valley schools-effective July 1- Contini, 59, is well aware of the void left by the departing Fraisse, who is nothing short of beloved in the district and in the community.

He said he sees the situation as a source of inspiration rather than undue pressure.

"I don't want to let anybody down. I really want to step up to the plate and maintain that quality," Contini said. "That's been the hallmark of what I've tried to accomplish every place I've been."

Contini is moving from a district of seven schools and 3,800 students to a district of 30 schools and 22,500 students- a step up that Fraisse said may be less difficult than some outsiders realize.

"It's actually much more difficult if you're coming from a large district where you have a lot of people to help you to a district where you're the whole show- that's hard," Fraisse said. "Going this way, Mr. Contini will find he has a lot of people to help him.

"One thing he'll find is that it is a very difficult thing to be visible at 30 schools on a regular basis, as opposed to seven," added Fraisse, who came to CVUSD from the Hueneme Elementary District. "It's a challenge I never quite mastered."

Contini said he won't view the district's size as an excuse for not being in touch with the opinions of residents and staff.

"My first goal is to start really reaching out to the community, staff and schools, to personalize our relationship and get a good strong sense of what's on people's minds, what their needs, hopes and dreams are," Contini said. "I really want to get my arms around the district, and obviously that will be a large challenge, given how big it is."

Fraisse said Contini's most important asset may be the fact that his three children-Mario, Anita and Kerry-all attended local schools during the 25-plus years he's called the Conejo Valley home.

"He's been a community member in this town. His kids have gone through our schools," Fraisse said. "Being a consumer of our services he knows where we're strong and where we need to improve from the perspective of a parent, and that's an extremely valuable perspective."

Contini, who will spend the next few weeks finishing up his duties in nearby Fillmore, said it's not easy to say goodbye after 30 years, regardless of what awaits him in Conejo Valley.

"Fillmore has been the blood that rushes through my veins- it's been such a vital part of my entire life, for me and my family,"

said Contini, who first started in Fillmore as a teacher in 1977. "It will be hard to break away."