CVUSD Board of Education Names Jim Negri Superintendent
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On May 27th, the Castro Valley Unified School District Board of Education selected Jim Negri to be the district's next superintendent. Mr. Negri succeeds Jim Fitzpatrick who was CVUSD Superintendent from 2000-2008 and Jerry Macy who has served as the Interim Superintendent since January 2009. |
Since November 2004, Negri has been the superintendent of the Acalanes Union High School District, a district of 5750 students serving grades 9-12 and adult education in Canyon, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and Walnut Creek. He is a 24-year resident of Castro Valley.
Under Jim’s leadership, Acalanes UHSD became the top-ranked high school district in California with an Academic Performance Index (API) of 882 with a US Blue Ribbon School, three California Distinguished Schools, and a Model Continuation High School.
CVUSD Board President George Granger said, “Jim Negri clearly meets the high standards Castro Valley expects and deserves. Jim’s unwavering focus on students and their achievement fits perfectly with our mission and expectations.”
Negri will officially start as CVUSD superintendent on July 1, 2009. Negri is excited about working where he lives, saying, "The district has a strong reputation for academic excellence for all students as well as providing students a well-rounded educational experience. I look forward to building upon the excellent foundation already in place by working collaboratively with the students, staff, parents, and community."
Jerry Macy, Interim Superintendent, stated that, “Castro Valley provides any educator a wonderful chance to work and contribute in an environment where students really do come first. Part of what makes Castro Valley work so well is our genuine commitment to making decisions and taking actions that maintain that student focus. The selection of Jim Negri as our new superintendent continues a long-standing commitment to effective planning and smooth transition. Congratulations to Jim as he takes the next critical steps in leading Castro Valley forward.”
Negri is a 35-year education veteran who started his career teaching 7th and 8th grade history and English as well as coaching. He has also served in administrative roles ranging from Director of Assessment, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development to Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services to Deputy Superintendent. In 2002, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) recognized Negri's accomplishments by naming him Outstanding Central Office Administrator in California.
During his five years in Acalanes UHSD, Negri has worked with a supportive community to pass a parcel tax that generates $6.7 million per year to provide a range of academic programs including a seven-period day, electives including Advanced Placement, and counselors. The parcel tax supports the goals of the Strategic Plan that Negri implemented. Jim Negri states, “I am a strong believer in establishing a vision of the district and focusing resources on meeting the goals to achieve the vision.”
CVUSD Board of Education Vice-President John Barbieri stated that, “The Castro Valley Board of Education is proud that after a long and extensive search, which included approximately sixty highly qualified candidates of both current superintendents and assistant superintendents, we narrowed them down to five. Candidates were interviewed in depth as to their strengths, commitment to education, high student achievement for all students, an understanding of a kindergarten to adult education system, the ability to articulate a clear vision, and work effectively with well educated and dedicated teachers, administrators, classified employees, parents, and community members. From those five, we found a new superintendent who meets and surpasses the above said qualifications.”
Prior to becoming superintendent of the Acalanes Union High School District, Negri served for two years as Superintendent of the Mountain View-Whisman School District, eleven years in the Pleasanton Unified School District as the Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and the Director of Curriculum and Staff Development. He was responsible for overseeing all educational programs in the district as well as serving as the facilitator and coordinator of the district's strategic plan.
Negri is a Bay Area native born and raised in Oakland. He and his wife, Rina, have resided in Castro Valley since 1985. They have one son who lives in Los Angeles.
Negri earned his B.A. in Economics and his teaching credential (Economics, Political Science and English) from the University of California at Berkeley. He earned his M.A. in Educational Leadership and administrative credential from St. Mary’s College in Moraga.
CVUSD BOARD MEMBER QUOTES:
Board President George Granger and Board Member Janice Friesen spent a day at Acalanes meeting with close to sixty people: principals, board members, staff, community members, parents, and teachers. George Granger states, "During his tenure as Superintendent of Acalanes High School District, Jim was known for his incredible work ethic and his strategic, innovative and collaborative approach to problem solving. Everyone has the highest regard for Jim's integrity and thoughtful approach to making some extremely difficult budget decisions. I heard over and over that Jim really hears the concerns of all stakeholders.”
Board Member Janice Friesen: “We interviewed over sixty people in the Acalanes School District: students, teachers; and, community members. They represented sixteen different shareholder groups. All gave enthusiastic, positive reports of what Jim has accomplished in his five years at Acalanes.”
Board Member Jo A.S. Loss: “Jim has built strong connections with the many communities in his prior district. We look forward to bringing his energy and commitment to community to Castro Valley.”
Board Member Kunio Okui: “Jim Negri is an excellent superintendent in the highest performing high school district in California. He will bring this same dedication and leadership to Castro Valley. My expectation is that Jim will effectively guide our district in these tumultuous financial times to even greater academic success.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FROM WHEN JIM NEGRI WAS HIRED IN ACALANES UNIFIED HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT:
Negri was the Superintendent of the Mountain View-Whisman School District, a K-8 district of 4400 students in Santa Clara County, from 2002-2004. Under his leadership, the district embarked on a strategic plan and passed a parcel tax to support educational programs eliminated in recent budget cuts. Members of the Mountain View-Whisman Board of Trustees describe Negri as “an effective team builder.”
Prior to becoming Superintendent in Mountain View-Whisman, Negri worked for 11 years in the Pleasanton Unified School District as the Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and the Director of Curriculum and Staff Development. He was responsible for overseeing all educational programs in the district as well as serving as the facilitator and coordinator of the district’s strategic plan.
Before Pleasanton, Negri worked 5 years in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District as the Coordinator of Curriculum Appraisal and Assessment coordinating the district’s assessment programs and as a high school vice principal. He began his administrative career as an assistant principal of academics at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland.
Throughout his career, Negri has been active in the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) serving in roles such as co-chair of the State Curriculum, Instruction and Evaluation Committee; President of ACSA Region VI (Alameda and Contra Costa counties; presenter for the Curriculum and Instruction Academy and the Business Officials Academy.) He also taught for eleven years at St. Mary’s College in the Educational Leadership Program (a masters program for individuals earning an administrative credential) in the areas of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment and Leadership.
In his community role, Negri serves on the Board of Directors of the El Camino YMCA and chairs the Program Committee. He is also a member of the Business Issues and Public Policy Committee of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce and the Education Committee of Leadership Mountain View. Negri regularly participates in presentations for the Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters, and Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group.
During his career, Negri has received the following awards:
§ Outstanding Central Office Administrator – ACSA (2002)
§ Alumnus of the Year – St. Mary’s College School of Education (2001)
§ Administrator of the Year - ACSA Amador Valley Charter (1998 and 2001)
§ Valedictorian - St. Mary’s College School of Education (1981)
§ Outstanding Student Teacher - University of California, Berkeley School of Education (1974)
