ALAMEDA — A former Berkeley schools administrator has been selected as superintendent of the Alameda Unified School District.
Pasquale Scuderi, 50, was most recently an associate superintendent at the Berkeley Unified School District. He left the job after learning that he was the top pick to take over in Alameda from Sean McPhetridge, who announced in February that he planned to step down at the end of this school year.
Alameda trustees unanimously approved Scuderi’s contract on June 25.
“I am honored to have been chosen for this position and looking forward to getting to know AUSD’s students, staff and families,” Scuderi said in a release. “I am also excited about this opportunity to both build on the district’s strengths and think creatively and strategically about its current challenges.”
Scuderi’s three-year contract kicks in July 8 and provides him with an annual base salary of $230,000. He will receive the same health and welfare benefits, vacation and sick leave accruals as other Alameda school district management employees.
“I do believe that he is the leader who is going to have the ability to make sure to reach every possible dream we have for all of our students in the Alameda Unified School District,” board President Mia Bonta said before trustees voted.
For the past two years, Scuderi has served as Berkeley Unified’s associate superintendent. He was assistant superintendent for the district’s educational services department from 2014 to 2017.
Scuderi also served as principal of Berkeley High School from 2010 to 2014.
Scuderi received a bachelor’s degree from California State University, San Bernardino, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from UC Berkeley. He lives in Kensington with his wife and two daughters.
McPhetridge’s last day on the job was June 28. This month he will take over as superintendent of the Cabrillo Unified School District, which includes Half Moon Bay High School.
McPhetridge became Alameda superintendent in February 2015 and his contract, extended in August 2017, was set to expire June 30, 2020.
He said in February that it seemed like a “natural, organic time” to leave, noting that the district was revising its strategic plan, which lays out its overall mission and goals.
Alameda trustees brought in La Quinta executive search firm Leadership Associates, at a cost of $25,500, to help find potential candidates for replacing McPhetridge after he announced he planned to resign.
Trustees met in closed session May 23, May 24 and June 4 to interview finalists. The number of applicants and finalists was not available.
The Alameda Unified School district has 16 schools, about 9,500 students and approximately 1,100 employees.