School District's New Superintendent Is Announced

As expected, was announced for the on Monday night. Sandra L. Lyon, who previously served as Chief Leadership Officer of the Palmdale Unified School District, has been named to replace outgoing superintendent Tim Cuneo.

Lyon will assume the role beginning July 1. Last fall, Cuneo announced at the end of the school year.

During her tenure at Palmdale, Lyon focused on improving middle school student achievement, according to a statement issued by the SMMUSD. Late last year, Shari Davis, president of the district's PTA Council,  that the council would be focusing heavily on middle schools.

Lyon has also served as the superintendent/principal of the Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes School District; the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for the Lancaster Unified School District; a middle school principal; an elementary school principal; and an assistant principal.

"Sandy emerged as the front-runner from a group of superb and highly qualified finalists for the position,” Board of Education President José Escarce said. “Her intelligence, experience, personal warmth, focus on all students, and collaborative approach make her ideal for our schools and communities. We are thrilled that she will be assuming the leadership of our district this summer, and we look forward to working with her to make our schools better for all students.”

“I'm thrilled to welcome Sandy Lyon to our School District,” Board of Education Vice President Ben Allen said. “We had a very strong pool of candidates, but were so impressed by Sandy's combination of experience, leadership, warmth, and vision.  Everyone who knows Sandy sings her praises, and I know that she'll make an exceptional superintendent for our District.”

Board members Oscar de la Torre and Laurie Lieberman traveled to Palmdale to speak with district stakeholders. They said they heard only praise about her, and Lieberman said some people almost cried when they found out she would be leaving.

“She has great communication skills,” Lieberman told Malibu Patch. “She’s a team leader.”

The Board of Education, which was due to hold a special meeting Monday night starting at 6 p.m., recently interviewed candidates for the position. A few weeks ago, Board President José Escarce told the media to one candidate, and a background check and contract negotiation were all that remained in the process.

Board Vice President Ben Allen said Thursday at the board meeting in Malibu that the expected appointee would appear at Monday’s meeting and speak briefly after the board votes on the appointment.

This article was updated at 7:21 p.m.