Joseph a favorite to lead Chino Valley district

By Neil Nisperos

Staff Writer

CHINO -- In a time of great fiscal challenge and district change, the Chino Valley Unified Board of Education is about to consider picking a new leader.

Interim Superintendent Wayne Joseph is hopeful he can remain the top administrator at Chino Valley Unified when the board tonight considers whether it will appoint him or extend a search for other candidates.

The issue will be considered at the board's 7 p.m. meeting at Don Lugo High School, 13400 Pipeline Ave.

Joseph appears to have a good chance however, with endorsements from a number of parents, teachers, and board members James Na and Michael Calta.

"As of now I am inclined to offer the position to the current interim superintendent, and there has been nothing so far that would discourage me from doing so," Calta said. "Also it's cheaper (than an external search) and it would save a lot of resources. I really do believe we have the right man for the job at the right time."

Na called Joseph a "godsend."

"He's the right person to lead the district," Na said. "What I have been gathering from all those reviews and conversations from the community, everyone has practically described what Wayne Joseph was about in describing the proper leadership requirements -- that he will be a humble person who cares about our community and actually has ties here."

Adriana Emerick, a Marshall Elementary School parent and a spokeswoman for parents upset about recently closed schools, said she also favors an appointment for Joseph.

"I think he's been effective," she said. "I do like what I see and from some of the blog comments I've seen a lot of people are very happy with Mr. Joseph, and I know a lot of the principals are happy with his leadership and a lot of the teachers as well."

Board member Charles Dickie said he had no comment, while member Fred Youngblood and board president Sylvia Orozco said they did not want to reveal their positions on Joseph until tonight.

Orozco and Youngblood, however, both praised Joseph's performance since he took the position of interim superintendent early this past summer replacing Edmond Heatley, who took a similar position in Georgia.

"I think Wayne definitely has brought a calming effect to our school district, and I appreciate his willingness to have an open-door policy," Orozco said.

Most board members said an external search for a superintendent wouldn't be wise in a time of fiscal tightening.

"I think Mr. Joseph has done a fine job in the interim, and I hope we can get on with the process to find a permanent superintendent," Youngblood said.

"Mr. Joseph has done a fantastic job and he's proved to be the right person for the right time. I personally don't see us spending any money on a search."

neil.nisperos@inlandnewspapers.com

(909) 483-9356