San Mateo-Foster City School District Appoints New Superintendent

The San Mateo-Foster City School District board has appointed Cynthia Simms as its new superintendent, district officials said Wednesday.

Simms, currently the interim superintendent for the Los Gatos Union School District, will replace Pendery Clark, who is retiring after 10 years as superintendent. Clark's retirement was announced in January.

"We are excited to have Dr. Simms as our new superintendent," board president Mark Hudak said in a statement. "She has a proven record of helping schools achieve academic excellence for all students. She will bring the experience we need to meet the challenges facing our schools."

Simms said she has long admired the "unique opportunities" that the district offers students through its wide variety of magnet school options, including an International Baccalaureate program, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish immersion programs, Montessori schools, Visual Performing Arts, a year-round calendar, and its science, technology, engineering and mathematics program.

"One approach doesn't fit all," Simms said. "Our job as educators is to ensure that all students achieve at a proficient or advanced level academically as well as socially, emotionally and physically -- learning through programs of instruction that best match their interests and learning styles."

Simms holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Bethany College, a master's degree in public administration from the University of Denver and a master's degree in education from the University of Virginia, as well as a doctorate in school administration from the University of Denver.

She has experience in "interest-based" bargaining with public employee unions, a process that seeks to identify common interests and concerns between parties, and is known for taking a collaborative approach, district officials said.

She also has experience in budget issues and has written a resource book called "A Handbook for Coping with Decelerating Resources" for the Colorado Department of Education.

Simms' appointment was scheduled to be confirmed by the district board at its meeting Thursday and will take effect July 6.

-- Bay City News Service