New Supe to Start on July 1

The Milpitas Unified Board of Education finalized plans to hire Superintendent Cary Matsuoka at a special meeting Tuesday afternoon.

In a front of a group of principals, teachers and classified staff, the board approved the employment contract followed by Matsuoka's appointment to the superintendent position.

With his wife, Polly, in the audience, Matsuoka addressed the board at the podium, reading an oath he had written on his commitment to the district.

"I will keep the interest of children as my highest goal," he said, and value teachers, appreciate the work of classified staff, mentor the leadership team and partner with parents.

The contract is for three years, with a starting salary of $206,400, according to board president, Marsha Grilli.

Matsuoka will leave the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District where he has worked for five years. He submitted his resignation at the school board meeting Tuesday night, effective June 30.

"We are sad to see Cary leave our district but are pleased he has this opportunity for professional growth to lead a district that is three times larger than the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District," according to a statement issued by the district.

About 3,100 students were enrolled at the two comprehensive high schools, Saratoga and Los Gatos, in the 2009-10 school year.  serves 10,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12. In addition, the district offers preschool and adult education. 

The superintendent will assume his new position at Milpitas Unified on July 1. His first task is to get to know everyone, he said.