Transitions
March 25, 2024
ACSA is mourning the loss of Albany Unified School District Superintendent Frank Wells, who passed away March 11.
Wells has been a dedicated ACSA member since 1997 and spent more than 30 years in public education. He served as the ACSA Region 6 representative on the Leadership Development Committee, was a member of ACSA’s Leadership Assembly, served as the ACSA North Alameda Charter president from 2021-23 and was part of the Superintendency Council.
In a letter sent to the Albany USD Board of Trustees, ACSA President Parvin Ahmadi wrote:
“As the Castro Valley Unified School District Superintendent, I had the honor and privilege to know and work with Dr. Wells. The Alameda County Superintendents and I truly appreciated his clarity and conviction around matters of equity, his sense of humor and his love for children. We will miss him dearly.”
Wells was recently elected as president-elect of the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA).
“As an education leader, he was a fierce advocate for all students and didn’t hesitate to make waves in support of students of color. Dr. Wells brought wit, humor and a willingness to roll up his sleeves to help wherever he was needed. He will be sorely missed, but his passion serves as an inspiration for us all,” according to an obituary posted by his district.
El Segundo Unified School District Superintendent Melissa Moore has announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2024. Moore joined the El Segundo USD as superintendent in July 2014. She previously served as the assistant superintendent of human resources for the Yucaipa-Calimesa Unified School District.
“This decision, made with joy, anticipation, apprehension and acceptance marks the end of a noteworthy chapter in my life,” she wrote in a Feb. 28 letter to the community. “It has been my distinct honor and privilege to lead this school district for a decade, alongside an extremely talented team of dedicated faculty, staff, teachers, administrators, Cabinet and Board Members.”
Moore began her educational career as a teacher in the Glendale USD. After Glendale, she moved to Yucaipa-Calimesa for more than 20 years where she was employed as a teacher, assistant principal, elementary and middle school principal before moving into district administration.
During her tenure as ESUSD’s superintendent, the district successfully passed a $92 million General Obligation Bond Measure to improve school facilities and technology in 2018. Under her guidance, ESUSD has adopted a new graduate profile; implemented Project Lead the Way/STEM curriculum for K-12; facilitated a partnership with the Cotsen Foundation and Loyola Marymount University for a peer coaching model to support CGI; implemented a 1:1 technology initiative for grades 4-12; and achieved the highest graduation rate in the region at 98.9 percent. ESUSD was selected as a member of the League of Innovative Schools in 2016.
In 2010, Moore won ACSA’s Personnel/Human Resources Administrator of the Year award. In 2018, Moore was honored as ACSA Region 14’s Superintendent of the Year. She earned her doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in reading and language arts from CSU, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Redlands.
Submit news about educator promotions, retirements and obituaries to EdCal.
Submit
Find your next position in school leadership.
Search jobs