The nine-month-long search for a new superintendent to head the Lucia Mar Unified School District is officially over.

The district Board of Trustees voted 7-0 Tuesday night to approve a three-year contract with Jim Hogeboom.

As superintendent, Hogeboom - who is an assistant superintendent for the Corvallis School District in western Oregon - will be paid $164,560 a year, plus benefits.

He will start his duties in Lucia Mar on July 1.

“I'm excited. I feel like I'm ready. I've been an assistant superintendent for the past three years. This seems like a great match down in Lucia Mar, so I'm really excited about it,” Hogeboom said.

In November, Lucia Mar contracted with the Orange County-based consulting firm Leadership Associates to assist with the search to replace Deborah Flores, who left in July to head the Gilroy Unified School District.

Consultants Jake Abbot and Walter Buster compiled a list of the 11 strongest candidates for the job, some of whom the school board interviewed in March.

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Following the interview session, Hogeboom emerged as the finalist, and last week the school board gave its legal counsel official permission to negotiate an employment contract with him.

In addition to salary and benefits, Hogeboom will receive up to $10,000 for moving expenses, and 25 days of paid vacation.

Board members said they are happy to have Hogeboom on board.

“I think he's a great fit for the community. I appreciate his curriculum background. I think our whole board is thrilled to have him here,” board chairman Erik Howell said.

Hogeboom received his bachelor's degree in political science from UC Berkeley, and went on to earn a master's degree in education administration at Fresno State University.

He has taught high school and was a middle school principal before becoming the second-in-command at Corvallis, where he oversees daily operations and is in charge of curriculum and instruction.

Hogeboom has also assisted on educational reform measures and has worked at the California Department of Education.

He and his wife Gwen have a daughter, Alaina, 10, and a son, Jack, 8.

The children will both attend Lucia Mar schools, Hogeboom said, and his entire family is looking forward to the move.

“They think they've died and gone to heaven,” he said with a laugh. “My son's all excited about going surfing.”

Although 2008-09 will likely prove a difficult and tumultuous academic year in light of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to cut $4.8 billion statewide from education, Hogeboom said he is up to the challenge.

“I think if you're in education long enough, you have these cycles where the money's good, and where the money's bad,” he said. “You just need to get input from as many people as you can.”

Before his start date, Hogeboom said he expects to travel down to Arroyo Grande to take part in budget workshops with Mary Stark, deputy superintendent of business .

He said he will welcome public comment on budgetary issues, as well as on other issues the district is facing.

“It doesn't mean that all the decisions are going to go the way everyone wants, but at least if everybody feels like they've had a chance to be heard, they can help support it a little more,” Hogeboom said.

Meanwhile, as Hogeboom gears up to step into Lucia Mar's top job, the 7,000-student Corvallis district is losing a leader.

Corvallis Superintendent Dawn Tarzian called Lucia Mar “a lucky community” in adding Hogeboom to the fold.

“Jim really helps to build systems, and his focus is really on developing capacity in other people,” she said. “Often times when a leader leaves, things really change and there's a big hole, but he worked to help our system grow, and that will remain as he moves on.”

Natalie Ragus can be reached at 347-4580 or nragus@santamariatimes.com.

April 16, 2008