News

Friday, February 8, 2008

Paul Turnbull to lead the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District

Paul Turnbull, assistant superintendent of secondary education for the Santa Barbara School Districts, has been selected to lead the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District (SYVUHSD). This morning, SYVUHSD board president Joe Dugan announced the decision to have Mr. Turnbull replace retiring superintendent Dr. Fred Van Leuven. The move becomes effective June 16, 2008.

Of his time in the Santa Barbara School Districts, Mr. Turnbull said, “I have been extremely lucky to work with excellent teachers, support staff, and parents at every level. I am proud of their commitment to our students, and I am confident that our students will continue to benefit from our caring community.”

Before coming to Santa Barbara, Mr. Turnbull was a teacher and administrator in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He joined the Santa Barbara High School District in July 2001, as an assistant principal at Goleta Valley Junior High School. In July 2003, he was appointed Goleta Valley Junior High School’s principal. From July 26, 2005 through June 30, 2007, he served as principal of Santa Barbara High School. On July 1, 2007, he replaced retiring Assistant Superintendent Jan Zettel. In Mr. Turnbull’s current position, as assistant superintendent of secondary education, his major duties and responsibilities include administration of the secondary district’s instructional program, including curriculum development; curriculum articulation in grades K-12; and oversight of federal-, state-, and local-funded programs.

In June, when he relocates to Santa Ynez, Mr. Turnbull will serve a district with a long history in the valley. Established in 1896, SYVUHSD serves 1,200 students from the Ballard, Buellton Union, College, Los Olivos, Solvang, and Vista del Mar Union elementary school districts. The district is comprised of a comprehensive high school, a continuation high school, and an independent study program. It is a basic aid district, funded largely by local property taxes.