SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Superintendent’s Office 310-450-8338, ext. 241	For Immediate Release February 16, 2006

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY MARYLAND WANTS SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT’S SUPERINTENDENT

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s (SMMUSD) Superintendent, Dr. John E. Deasy, announced today to the Board of Education that he has been selected as the lead candidate for the Superintendent of Schools of Prince George's County Maryland. Prince George’s is a very impacted urban district of approximately 136,000 students. It is the 17th largest district in the nation and has numerous issues around student achievement and a community, board, and faculty and staff that are deeply dedicated to making this work for all students. The Board in Maryland must make an appointment of a superintendent through the State Superintendent of Instruction and will visit SMMUSD and begin contract negotiations. They will announce today, through a Board motion, that Dr. Deasy is the Lead Candidate and begin the process of the required due diligence.

Dr. Deasy is accepting this challenge with very mixed emotions. “My most conflicted emotions are about leaving this school district and community. I have been honored to work side-by-side with the most dedicated and competent staff, administrators, teachers and students. I am beyond proud of all our accomplishments and that of our students!”

The Board will be meeting frequently over the next week to iron out the details of this transition, appointing an interim Superintendent in the process. Dr. Deasy’s notification comes at a time when the SMMUSD is in excellent condition financially, educationally, and achievement-wise. The Board is fully committed to the vision, mission, and strategies established at the SMMUSD and intends to see them through and to build on them.