The Novato Unified School District announced two new administrators for the 2016-17 school year.  Ivan Chaidez is the new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services as of July 1 and Yancy Hawkins will become the new Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations effective October 1.

On June 30, 2016, the Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Yancy Hawkins as the new Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations effective October 1.  Yancy Hawkins is currently the Chief Business Official for the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District where he is responsible for all non-instructional administrative functions including finance and facilities. He has overseen two bonds and the construction and opening of a new school.  He has previously held positions as a controller, business services manager and an audit manager with a public accounting firm.  Mr. Hawkins is a California Certified Public Accountant, California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Certified Chief Business Official and graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles with a degree in Economics and Accounting.

Karen Maloney, current Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations, announced her retirement in May 2016.  Ms. Maloney joined NUSD in 2011 and was instrumental in the partnership with the County Free Library and their move to Parcel 1B as well as the relocation of the Maker Space in San Rafael forming the Community Education Center.  Ms. Maloney has also played a key role in the Education Facilities Master Plan that took place throughout the district in 2016 and will continue to assist the district with its upcoming facilities measure.

In April 2016, the Board of Trustees approved the hiring of an Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services beginning in the 2016-17 school year.  Ivan Chaidez was the Executive Director of Innovation and Achievement for the Napa Valley Unified School District. Mr. Chaidez has been a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Director. He has also been responsible for the transformation of a high school from an antiquated campus to a new state of the art campus where he led the school out of program improvement and to the status of a California Distinguished School. In Napa, he was responsible for Child Welfare and Attendance, and English learner services. He oversaw four directors and numerous coordinators who were responsible for teaching and learning, instruction technology, assessment achievement and English Language Learners, and student services. Ivan prides himself on being accessible, collaborative, and student centered. His primary goal for NUSD is to ensure that all students have equitable opportunities. Mr. Chaidez is married and has three boys.

NUSD brought back the position of Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services after the retirement announcement of Ruthanne Bexton.  Ms. Bexton began her career at NUSD in 1986 and has been a teacher, principal, and director.  She played a key role in developing Hamilton School into a K-8 school.

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