After an extensive selection process, the TCUSD Board of Education negotiated and unanimously approved the contract for new Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Fricker. On Jan. 14, she began her duties, working alongside the Board.
During the summer, the Board conducted a poll to find which qualities TCUSD community members want in a superintendent.
Having good communication and listening skills, being trustworthy, developing a good work plan and having a background in curriculum, instruction and assessment were the highest-rated characteristics.
Following the Nov. 6 election, the Board, including the three newly-elected board members, reviewed the applications.
They selected Dr. Fricker and three other candidates for an interview on Dec. 8 and rated them based on the criteria obtained from the summer survey. The Board then invited two of them for a second interview.
After completing the second round of interviews, the TCUSD board members wanted to visit Dr. Fricker’s worksite at Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.
She arranged for the PVPUSD board members, superintendent, principals, union representatives and her colleagues and subordinates to meet with the TCUSD Board.
On Jan. 12, the five board members approved Dr. Fricker’s contract, proposing an annual salary of $225,000 and other benefits like healthcare and vacation days.
“I believe she will bring a lot of unique skills to our district,” Board Vice President Ms. Donna Georgino said. “She is a very hardworking and dedicated employee. Everyone we spoke to at PVPUSD said she is able to work with all personality types. She has a reputation of always putting students first, something that is very important to me.”
Dr. Fricker has worked in education for 20 years; she served as a science teacher, counselor, principal, executive director and assistant superintendent of educational services in PVPUSD.
She has a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science from Michigan Technical University, a master’s degree in counseling from Wayne State University and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Southern California.
“My first steps as superintendent will be getting to know the people in Temple City, listening to the voices of the students and hearing what’s great here about our district,” Dr. Fricker said. “I’m excited to visit all the schools and meet everyone!”