Davis Joint Unified School District Board to Approve Permanent Superintendent on April 21, 2022
Posted on 04/11/2022
Matt BestDavis Joint Unified School District Board to Approve Permanent Superintendent on April 21, 2022

After an eight-month, nationwide search for the next Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) Superintendent, the Board of Trustees announced at a special meeting on April 11, that the finalist is Matt Best who currently serves as the Interim Superintendent for DJUSD.

The Board partnered with an executive search firm to conduct a competitive hiring process, which included gathering and reviewing community feedback from DJUSD staff, students, families and members of the Davis community. The Board received 28 applications and interviewed three out of seven top-tier candidates before reaching a final decision. The Board will formally approve Matt Best’s employment as Superintendent of DJUSD at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on April 21, 2022.

“I learned from the Superintendent search that the Davis Joint Unified School District attracts outstanding candidates and that we are able to select the most qualified person,” says DJUSD Board President Tom Adams. “Matt Best has the knowledge and skills to be a Superintendent, but more importantly, he has the heart of a parent and teacher.”

Best has been serving as the District’s Interim Superintendent since August 2021 upon the departure of Dr. Bowes, and he has led the District operations through a very challenging 2021-22 school year.
“The search produced candidates of the highest caliber, but Matt’s skill set to lead DJUSD during these most challenging times and moving forward into a post-pandemic era of public education completely matches our needs and values,” says Trustee Betsy Hyder.

Throughout his 22-year tenure with DJUSD, Best has served in numerous capacities, starting as a student teacher at Davis Senior High School. He has held the roles of lead teacher, Principal, Assistant, Associate, Deputy, and Interim Superintendent over his career in DJUSD. He also has led many efforts and departments throughout the District during his tenure including, but not limited to, serving as the District’s lead negotiator, leadership of the Special Education, Student Services, Personnel Services, Capital Operations, Public Information and Climate departments.

“Matt has a proven record of dedication to our district, students and community,” says Board Trustee Vigdis Asmundson. “His passion for ensuring opportunities in education for all, his empathy, and his vision for our schools are exemplary. I am thrilled that he will continue to lead the District with us.”

“I am deeply grateful for Matt’s 20 years of service to DJUSD,” says Board Trustee Joe DiNunzio. “I am confident that in his new role, he will lead our dedicated staff in pursuit of an excellent education for all of our students - and he will do it with humility, grace and great determination.”

Trustee Lea Darrah agrees. “I look forward to working with Matt Best as our next Superintendent for DJUSD. I am glad that the teachers' association and our classified union are in support of this selection as well. I believe Matt has the collaborative approach, inclusive mindset, and willingness to address issues head on that Davis needs as we move forward in our District to serve all children and families.”

Best says he is humbled and honored to continue to serve the school community he considers a second family. “I will continue to serve with dedication, integrity, and humility for the remainder of my time in DJUSD. We will continue to foster a love of learning and equip all students with the knowledge, skills, character, and well-being to thrive and contribute to an evolving and increasingly connected world, while doing all we can to ensure that educational outcomes cannot be pre-determined by race, ethnicity and socio-economic status.”