Guadalupe Union School District Superintendent Ed Cora announces resignation

The decision to leave Guadalupe Union School District wasn't an easy one to make.

"Any time you have strong relationships, it's always hard," Ed Cora, superintendent of the Guadalupe Union School District, said. "But then you think about new opportunities and the opportunity to make a difference for a larger group of students."

That possibility is ultimately what led Cora to accept a position with the Santa Paula Unified School District, he said, where he will serve as superintendent to nine elementary, middle, and high schools in Ventura County beginning July 1.

The decision will effectively end Cora's seven year run with the Guadalupe Union School District. In that time, he said he's worked hard to improve access to education through various curriculum initiatives, increased technology, and improved facilities for students and faculty.

After nearly three decades working as an educator in the Santa Maria Valley—Cora taught in Orcutt and was a principal in Santa Maria before his time in Guadalupe—Cora said he's built relationships with the community that will be difficult to sever.

"We've given the students what I always thought they've deserved: the best," Cora said, adding that he hopes to do the same for a larger group of students in Santa Paula.

Similar to Guadalupe, Cora said Santa Paula has a high number of Latino students, and he's looking forward to helping that demographic.

Cora was selected unanimously out of 21 candidates by the Santa Paula Unified School District board at a meeting on March 14, according to a Guadalupe Union School District press release.

"Mr. Cora was chosen as our superintendent from a number of highly qualified candidates, brought to us by Leadership Associates, including seated superintendents and highly qualified educational leaders," Michelle Kolbeck, Santa Paula Unified School Board President, said in the release. "His experience and credentials are a great match for our Santa Paula Unified community."

Cora's letter of resignation was accepted by the Guadalupe Union School District Board of Education at its meeting on March 19, according to Public Affairs Officer Kenny Klein. He said the search for a new superintendent has begun.

While Cora said his role in hiring the next superintendent will likely be minimal, an ad for the open position should be posted statewide sometime in April. Interviews with potential candidates would then follow in May, he said, and an appointment could be made sometime in June.

The Guadalupe school board will be hiring a search firm to help find a suitable candidate. A board member could not be reached for comment before the Sun's press time.

While Cora said he is anticipating his move to Santa Paula, he and his wife won't be selling their longtime home in Orcutt. The Central Coast is one of his favorite places in the U.S., Cora said, and he's loved his time in the Santa Maria Valley.

"This is where I want to retire," Cora said.

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