A superintendent who currently leads a Riverside County school district has been tapped to head the Oceanside Unified School District.
Dr. Julie Vitale was appointed by the OUSD Board of Education Tuesday night to serve as the district’s new superintendent beginning July 1. She succeeds Dr. Duane Coleman, who will retire at the end of the month.
Vitale currently serves as the superintendent of Romoland School District, a nearly 4,000-student elementary school district located approximately 22 miles south of the city of Riverside. That district has a high enrollment of English Language Learners and students living in poverty.
“Dr. Vitale’s leadership and proven track record is a welcome addition to our district,” said OUSD Board of Education President Ann Corwin. “She will bring a new perspective to the district and is committed to seeing students flourish in our schools and in the community.”
Vitale’s 26 years of education experience include classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and district administrator, according to the OUSD. Her education service includes tenures as an assistant superintendent at Monrovia Unified as well as school site and district leadership positions at the Corona-Norco Unified School District. She is also an adjunct professor at Concordia University.
“I look forward to working with the Board of Education, district and site leaders, teachers, staff, the community, and most importantly, students and their families, on moving the district in a positive direction,” said Vitale. “I believe everyone has something to offer and it is my personal mission to engage people in meaningful and rewarding work for the good of students.”
Vitale was appointed by the OUSD Board of Education by a 4 to 1 vote, with board member Ortiz Wichmann voting against citing salary concerns. Vitale’s salary will be $250,000 with benefits in the amount of $18,635 per year. Additionally, she will be eligible to receive a $7,090 stipend for earning a doctoral degree.
–Staff
