Finalist for schools superintendent in Escondido lauded
The finalist in Escondido Union's search for a superintendent has a statewide reputation as a sharp leader who has helped turn districts around after tough times. Trustees hope to learn more about Mike Caston, the deputy superintendent for the Santa Barbara County Education Office, today, when a delegation from the district will visit and talk with dozens of educators, parents and community members. If they like what they hear, they hope to negotiate a deal to bring him to the 18,500-student district. Santa Barbara educators had glowing reviews for Caston, 52. "I don't believe Escondido could do any better," said Bill Cirone, Santa Barbara County superintendent of schools. Caston has been recruited by school districts in Portland and Denver. But until now, Caston said, the offers weren't a good match. "Bigger doesn't mean better to me," he said. "I think Escondido is an outstanding district." At Santa Barbara's county office, Caston helped the school districts implement reforms, trained principals and worked with school boards to improve their relations. Before that, he spent about six years as superintendent of the 16,000-student Santa Barbara school districts, a high school and elementary district with one school board and administration. If he comes to Escondido, he would replace Nicolas Retana, who was fired last year after allegations of sexual harassment against him became public. Earlier that year, teachers had given Retana poor marks for leadership and said morale was low. It wouldn't be the first time Caston has come into a district that has faced turmoil. Santa Barbara had seen a string of superintendents come and go in the decade before Caston arrived. The district had severe financial woes, and test scores had been declining year after year. At his first school board meeting, teachers were picketing and on the verge of striking. Caston cut administrative positions to balance the budget and fund a pay increase for teachers. He later hired an expert to analyze district test data and chart improvement strategies, and the district's test scores have been on the upswing. During his tenure, the districts passed three bond measures. Caston faced criticism for recommending that the district eliminate bilingual education even before the passage of Proposition 227, the voter-approved initiative to end bilingual education. But district leaders credit the early switch to teaching English learners in all-English classes with helping to raise student achievement. "Mike came in and really turned things around," said Claire VanBlaricum, president of the school board. Caston works hard to create relationships and get people to buy into proposed changes, Santa Barbara trustee Fred Rifkin said. The president of the teachers' union called him a strong advocate for teachers who seeks input and gets along with community groups. |