Coming Home: A Message from Interim Superintendent Maurice Ghysels

Hello Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) community,

It is a privilege to return to Pleasanton as your interim Superintendent. Pleasanton is where I graduated from high school and started my career in education. I’ve been lucky to have a diverse career path in PreK-12 education, startups, and, most recently, a consulting business, Ghysels Group, with my partner and Amador graduate, David Benson. I cut my teeth in education as a teacher at Amador Valley High School, and my family and I have always been connected to this community.

I worked my way up as a site administrator and while I was earning my doctorate from the University of San Francisco, I was recruited to the corporate world in banking. After a few years I returned to Pleasanton and worked with friends at a startup company called Groundswell. I then began leading the Human Resources division as the Deputy Superintendent of the Campbell Union School District. I had the privilege of serving as Superintendent to Mountain View Whisman and Menlo Park School Districts for a combined 11 years. Additionally, I served in higher education as an instructor and adjunct professor at institutions including Loyola Marymount University, Pepperdine University, and the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Leaders in Educational Administration Program. Having experienced so many facets of education, teaching and learning have always been closest to my heart.

I’m looking forward to listening and learning how I can help and support you in fostering a positive culture. I believe culture is a result of communication, respect, and trust. I look forward to strengthening partnerships in PUSD and throughout the Pleasanton community.

Like districts across the state and nation, PUSD faces fiscal pressure from declining enrollment and increasing costs. PUSD is facing a qualified, multi-year budget, with razor thin reserves–which means we can’t meet our financial obligations over the next three years. We need to focus on more right-sizing that is centered on student needs. Our Budget Advisory Committee continues their vital work looking at budget reductions and potential revenue enhancements.

Finally,  I will work with you on the opportunities we face with transition and change. This interim position means a lot to me because I consider Pleasanton my home, and our district and schools are near and dear to my heart. It’s truly an honor to come full circle and return, and I want to lead in a manner that sets us up for a superb permanent superintendent who we all deserve.

Above all, and most importantly, we are here for our students. I look forward to listening and working alongside each of you. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community by cultivating and developing new leaders and help identify our shared purpose and values.

My best,

Maurice Ghysels, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools