CUSD hires new superintendent

The Cabrillo Unified School District has announced that it has hired Robert (Rob) Gaskill as the new Superintendent of the Cabrillo Unified School District. Mr. Gaskill will officially assume the Superintendent position of CUSD in January 2008.

Mr. Gaskill has 35 years experience in the education field and currently serves as the Superintendent of the Sonora Union High School District in Tuolumne County. Charlie Gardner, President of the Board of Trustees explained "Rob was one of two finalists for the position out of a field of 23 candidates.  We believe that he is a terrific match for our small unified Coastside school district."
Chosen as the 2005 Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators, Region VII, Rob has been described as "a catalyst" who inspires "esprit-de-corps", builds "critical partnerships in the community" and has a "terrific sense of humor".  At Sonora, Rob spearheaded improved articulation between the high school and seven independent elementary school districts; completed and implemented a comprehensive Strategic Plan; led efforts to develop a "middle college" program, and represented District interests at Joint Powers Authority meetings and SELPA sessions. Rob was also the co-Chair of the Tuolumne County Community Indicators Study and President of the Sonora Rotary.

"For some time now, I have felt that it would take a very special opportunity to tempt me to leave my work in Sonora. This leadership opportunity with the Cabrillo Unified School District is just that special.  I find everything about Cabrillo to be appealing, the location, the size, and the diversity.  My initial impression is that CUSD is a high performing school community intent on further refining its work to meet the educational needs of all of its students. I wouldn’t want it any other way.  Less important but still "nice’ is the fact that my wife Dondi and I consider ourselves to be ‘ocean people.’  We own a small place in nearby Aptos and we have always enjoyed visiting the Half Moon Bay area.  In many respects we feel like we’re coming home." Said Rob Gaskill.

Mr. Gaskill served as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in the Morgan Hill Unified School District, a suburban district serving a K-12 population of 9,500 students of mixed demographics, both socio-economic and ethnic. Rob served as the Project Lead of the Renaissance Learning Community - a systemic restructuring effort supported by the 21st Century/Challenge 2000 Initiative as well as, the facilitator of the Educational Specifications Committees. 

During his seven year tenure as Principal of Irvington High School in the Fremont USD, Irvington earned status as a demonstration grant school, full membership in the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative, and became a lead school in the Bay Area Coalition of Essential Schools.  Under Mr. Gaskill’s exemplary leadership, and in partnership with the school community, Irvington High School transitioned from a school that received a cautionary three-year period of accreditation in 1990 to a California Distinguished School in 1995 and a National Blue Ribbon School in 1996.

Prior to his administrative career, Rob was an English teacher at both the middle school and high school levels, as well as a tennis coach. Rob has a B.A in English, two Masters of Arts degrees from Central Michigan University in School Administration, and Reading Instruction, as well as post-Masters work in Curriculum Design at Michigan State University. Additional professional training includes: Assessing Whole School Change, Organizational Change, Leading the Leaders, English Language Development, and Leading with Credibility. 

Cabrillo Unified School District is fortunate to have found an experienced Superintendent who has hands-on experience in a small school district, strong high school leadership skills, an educator’s background in English Language and Curriculum Development, and a deep and abiding commitment to meaningful school reform.

Prior to his official start date, Robert Gaskill will be a regular visitor to the Coastside, meeting with members of the schools and community. Please join us in welcoming Rob and his wife Dondi, and making them part of the greater Coastside community.