The Perris Elementary School District has hired a new superintendent — about one month after hiring its previous superintendent.
Bruce Bivins, a former area superintendent for the San Diego Unified School District, will now lead the district, a Tuesday, July 25, news release states.
Bivins will replace Mike Swize, whom the board hired Monday, June 26, after serving two years as superintendent of the larger Palm Springs Unified School District.
But nearly two weeks later, the Perris school board began holding special meetings to discuss appointing a new superintendent. According to its board agendas, trustees discussed the “discipline/dismissal/release” of an employee, appointment of an “interim superintendent” and the search for a superintendent Sunday, July 8.
Trustees also met in special sessions Sunday, July 16, and Friday, July 21, to discuss appointing a superintendent.
It’s not clear when Swize stopped working for the district.
Katie Solorzano, administrative assistant to the superintendent, said in a Tuesday email that the district “took action to approve a settlement agreement with the superintendent (Swize) to terminate the superintendent’s employment agreement.”
It was a mutual agreement, Solorzano wrote.
It’s not clear at what meeting the settlement was agreed upon.
Solorzano wrote that she could not provide further information on Swize’s departure.
Swize could not be reached Tuesday afternoon, nor could Perris district officials or school board members.
Bivins will begin work at the district, which has about 4,500 students, Wednesday, July 26, the release states.
A member of the California Association of Latino Superintendents, Bivins was unanimously chosen by the school board Monday, July 24, the release states.
He will earn an annual salary of $268,400, his contract states.
Before hiring Bivins, the district sought input during “sessions with administrators, staff, parents and district stakeholders and an online survey,” the release states.
In a news release, school board President Douglas Corona said Bivins “brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in educational leadership.”
Corona added that “his passion for student‐centered learning and his commitment to fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment was a key factor in his selection as our next superintendent.”
Bivins said in the release that he is honored to have been chosen.
“Together, we will embark on an incredible journey, where we will create the most optimal conditions for learning, teaching and leading within our schools and communities,” he said.
The district plans a meet‐and‐greet opportunity for students, parents, staff, and the community in the coming months.
