After an extensive search conducted by the Ventura County Office of Education, the Mesa Union School District Board of Education has selected Jeff Turner as the district’s new Superintendent. Mr. Turner is the current Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at the Rio School District in Oxnard. 

Mr. Turner first came to Rio as a school principal. He was recognized for his leadership skills and promoted to Assistant Superintendent. In his current role, he oversees instructional programs for 5,000 students in the district’s six elementary and two middle schools. Mr. Turner works closely with principals, teachers, and parents to maintain the district’s focus and build capacity to address increasing demands. He is responsible for the development of the Local Control Accountability Plan, negotiating a new contract with both the classified and certificated bargaining units, district-wide facility planning, hiring and retaining employees, budget development and supervising technology and pupil services. 

Mr. Turner’s other accomplishments at the Rio School District include expansion of the K-8 dual immersion bilingual education program, development of a kindergarten after school program and implementation of the district’s vision for student learning. 

Rio School District Superintendent Dr. John Puglisi says, “Mr. Turner is a visible leader who prefers to strike a balance between on campus interactions and office work, and achieves these ends through a tireless work ethic and commitment to completing tasks. He is first and foremost a man of integrity and work ethic.” His colleague, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Kristen Pifko, adds, “Mr. Turner is student focused, data driven and fiscally conservative.”

Mr. Turner is excited about the opportunity to serve the children of the Mesa Union School District, and says, “I have dedicated twenty years of my professional career to serving children who face the daily adversity of overcoming poverty, learning a second language, or moving beyond a learning disability to reach their educational goals and pursue their dreams. As superintendent, I will bring a unique hands-on and relational approach focused on strong relationships, transparent trust, and commitment to improving student achievement.”

Mesa Union School District Board of Education President Steven Sullivan says, “Mr. Turner brings to the Mesa Union School District a strong work ethic he learned on the farm in Southern Idaho. He also has an excitement and enthusiasm for science and technology that will continue the excellence that Mesa Union is known for throughout the county.”

Prior to coming to Rio, Mr. Turner was a principal in the Morongo Unified School District. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Idaho State University and his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Northwest Nazarene College. He will fill an opening left by Dr. Michael Babb, who is leaving Mesa to serve as the new superintendent of the Ventura Unified School District. Mr. Turner will assume his responsibilities with the Mesa Union School District on July 20, 2015.