The Turlock Unified School District has appointed Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dana Salles Trevethan as interim Superintendent on Tuesday night.
TUSD announced the decision on Tuesday night, following a unanimous vote from the Board of Trustees at a special meeting the same night.
“I am honored and elated, and frankly a little nervous, about leading from the very top,” said Trevethan in a press release. “However, I am confident that when surrounded by a dedicated Board, passionate staff, and a supportive community, the task of putting students first, and staff a close second, will continue to guide our District."
Trevethan’s appointment comes with the hope and expectation that TUSD and Trevethan can agree to make the appointment permanent prior to the end of the 2015-16 school year.
She will officially assume the interim Superintendent position on July 1, 2015, the day after Superintendent Dr. Sonny Da Marto’s last day in the position. Da Marto announced his retirement at the March 3 TUSD Board of Trustees meeting, after 38 years in education.
Trevethan, who currently serves as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, has more than 25 years of experience as an educator in TUSD. Prior to her current position, Trevethan served as an English teacher, tennis coach, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and ultimately as Principal of Turlock High School for 11 years.
Prior to her time with TUSD, Trevethan was a middle school language arts teacher and athletic coach in Winton and Gustine.
Trevethan is a strong and effective communicator with proven leadership skills, and possesses a shared-decision making style and has the desire to build capacity within others — evident through her recent work in developing the new Local Control Accountability Plan.
“Ms.Trevethan is a person who has gained the trust and respect of the School Board and the employees of the District through her tireless energy and commitment to the well being of the students and employees of this District,” said Board of Trustees President Frank Lima. “Ms. Trevethan has the energy, vision, and talent to lead our District to the next level.
“She has the inter-personal skills and integrity to build relationships with all stakeholders, including students,parents, staff, and community members, and she will remain committed to maintaining communication and collaborations with the City of Turlock and CSU Stanislaus where she has taught in the administrative credential program for a number of years.”
