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Published June 23rd, 2021
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Dr. Julie Parks to succeed Bruce Burns as superintendent of Moraga School District
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| By Jenn Freedman |
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| Dr. Julie Parks Photos provided |
Julie Parks, Ed.D., will become superintendent of the Moraga School District beginning July 1, the Moraga School Board announced last week. Parks was most recently the principal of Orinda's Miramonte High School in the Acalanes Union High School District, a position she has held for the past seven years.
Parks has been an educator for over 18 years. Prior to her tenure at Miramonte, she worked as an assistant principal, vice-principal, student services coordinator, and middle school teacher. In 2019, Parks was recognized by the Association of California School Administrators as the principal of the year.
Parks completed her doctorate (remotely) in Organizational Change Leadership at University of Southern California earlier this year. Her dissertation "Connectedness and Distance Learning: A Study of Student, Parent and Teacher Perceptions" was nominated as a Dissertation of Distinction at USC.
"I am honored to continue to serve the Lamorinda community as superintendent of the Moraga School District. As a leader, I am focused on equity, building capacity, and connectedness, and I look forward to entering this post-pandemic year with energy and excitement," Parks shared.
Parks lives in Lafayette with her husband, Sean, and two sons, Liam (11) and Lucas (8). ""They are my biggest supporters and have generously 'shared me' with my work for years!," Parks passionately added.
Superintendent Bruce Burns announced his impending resignation in mid-February. Burns has served in the District for 25 years, the last 11 in his current role. He began his career in the MSD in 1996, when he reopened the previously shuttered Los Perales Elementary School as principal. He subsequently served as the Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School principal, before being appointed to the role of superintendent in 2010.
During his tenure, Burns moved the District forward in several important areas including a renewed focus on curriculum, professional development for all educational staff, strengthening cultural competency, and overseeing $33 million in school renovation, safety and modernization projects at four school sites.
Burns shared, "Reopening Los Perales School in 1997, serving as the JM principal, modernizing our schools, ensuring a sound financial position for the district following the Great Recession, working with outstanding educators and governing board members, and adopting and implementing new Common Core instructional texts in reading, writing, math, science and history-social studies are outcomes I am especially proud to have been a part of."
Burns has maintained his strong leadership and tremendous resilience throughout times of challenge, including economic uncertainty, wildfire risk, power outages, large bond construction projects, and the COVID-19 pandemic. "His integrity, calm demeanor, high visibility throughout the community, and focus on what is best for students have been hallmarks of his career here in Moraga. Superintendent Bruce Burns has always been steady at the helm, making sure that everything kept moving forward, all while keeping our eyes on the ultimate goal of continuing to provide the highest quality education to each and every student in the Moraga School District. As a Governing Board, we would like to thank Superintendent Burns for his dedication, diligence, care, and educational expertise during his tenure," School Board President Janelle Chng said.
"While I will depart with a heart full of gratitude, I am looking forward to the next chapter, to learn and grow in new and different opportunities, ones I will explore after June," acknowledged Burns. |
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| Bruce Burns Photos provided |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA