No search for supe

McLaughlin sticks as superintendent



TOP SPOT—Mark McLaughlin, onetime head of the district’s human resources department, has been named superintendent. He’s served as interim since June. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

TOP SPOT—Mark McLaughlin, onetime head of the district’s human resources department, has been named superintendent. He’s served as interim since June. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

If there’s one thing the Conejo Valley school board can agree on, it’s Mark McLaughlin.

The famously divided body confirmed the 43-year-old as the superintendent of the 18,000-student district with a unanimous vote Nov. 7.

The Montana native joined CVUSD as the assistant superintendent in charge of human resources in 2013 and has acted as interim superintendent since June following the departure of former chief of schools Ann Bonitatibus, who left two years into a three-year contract.

McLaughlin has cemented his position at the helm of Ventura County’s largest school district during the latest period of upheaval.

Since he took over this summer, CVUSD has become embroiled in a fight over core literature which has pitted camps of teachers, community members and trustees against each other during contentious board meetings.

But in an increasingly polarized school district, McLaughlin is a rare neutral figure, popular with both teachers and trustees. Growing up working for his father’s bricklaying company in Butte, Mont., McLaughlin said he learned the value of teamwork at an early age.

Trustee John Andersen said McLaughlin’s previous position heading up the district’s human resources department did not give the Camarillo resident and father of three a chance to showcase his broad educational experience, but it did give those within the district an opportunity to watch him lead.

“Mark is a man of great character and integrity, and many in the CVUSD see and respect that,” Andersen said. “I look forward to working closely with him.”

Contract

McLaughlin’s three-year contract comes with a $230,000 annual salary plus 2-percent raises each of the next three years. It also promises the executive the same general across-the-board raises provided to other certificated district personnel. His contract requires him to work 220 days each year, with no paid holidays or vacation.

Before coming to CVUSD, McLaughlin worked in the Fontana Unified School District as a teacher, principal and district administrator. He holds degrees from the University of Montana-Western and Azusa Pacific University, as well as a doctorate in educational leadership from Cal Lutheran University.

Victor Hayek, deputy superintendent of business services, described McLaughlin as approachable, respectful and fair.

“Dr. McLaughlin is the type of leader that takes time to listen and see all points of view,” Hayek said.

At a State of the Schools event Oct. 11 at CLU, McLaughlin said that while he won’t be as active on social media as his predecessor (Bonitatibus, a noted “tweeter”), parents can trust that he’s busy collaborating with teachers, students and other district employees.

He said that as he leads CVUSD into the next chapter he wants to be deliberate about fostering healthy, cooperative relationships.

While the organization faces some difficult decisions, he said, he wanted everyone in the room to know they can turn to him for help.

“I have your back,” he said. “It’ll be helpful at some point in time.”

To reach the superintendent, call (805) 497-9511, ext. 201, or email mmclaughlin@conejousd.org.