Poway Unified School District appoints new superintendent with roots in Carlsbad

POWAY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Poway Unified School District has chosen its new superintendent, nearly six months after the previous district head was terminated following a months-long investigation into allegations of bullying .

After a nationwide search, the Poway Unified school board unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Ben Churchill.

“The board placed a huge priority on our PUSD community’s input during this four-month long process,” said Schoolboard President Michelle O’Conner-Ratcliff.

According to Churchill, he has worked in the field of education for 28 years, the past eight of which have been spent serving as superintendent at Carlsbad Unified School District.

Before ending up on the West Coast, the self-described Midwesterner worked in Illinois, serving as chief academic officer for the sixth-largest school district in the state. Additionally, he held positions as an assistant superintendent, high school principal and high school teacher. His early days in education were spent teaching English in China.

“Carlsbad is a very hard district to leave, but the opportunity to step into the role here in Poway was something that I couldn’t turn down,” Churchill said.

It’s a welcome change for some parents, including Melissa Lazaro, who said that after the announcement was made Thursday evening, “text messages came in that this is a great guy of great character and I’m happy to see that.”

Lazaro said she’s optimistic after previous leadership left a bad impression.

“The last two superintendents it was just unnecessary drama and just selfish behavior that doesn’t need to trickle down to our students,” Lazaro said.

In April, the school board voted to terminate then Superintendent Dr. Marian Kim Phelps, following an investigation into allegations she harassed students.

Phelps then filed a lawsuit against the district over her firing. It’s one of two lawsuits filed against PUSD that officials won’t comment on.

Dr. Churchill said building back trust and relationships with the community is his top priority.

“Trust takes time to build and so my commitment is to put in the time to meet with folks. Get to know them. Get to know the great things about Poway and the challenges,” Churchill explained.

He added that he and his team will work to tackle the school district’s need for more facilities funding.

Churchill is set to officially begin his new role Dec. 2.

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