Superintendent Search 2025
AUHSD Superintendent Search Timeline
After more than eleven years of service as superintendent, Michael Matsuda has announced that he will be retiring at the end of 2025. Looking to the future, the District is committed to conducting a thoughtful, principled, and financially responsible superintendent search in line with its mission, vision, and core values.
Retirement Announcement and Transition Planning
July 17, 2025:
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Superintendent Michael Matsuda publicly announces his retirement.
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The Board of Trustees votes to accept Superintendent Matsuda's retirement and discusses the process to conduct an internal search for the next superintendent.
Community Input and Internal Application Window
July 18, 2025:
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The Board of Trustees opens the application window for internal AUHSD candidates to apply.
July 21–28, 2025:
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The Board of Trustees launches a community input survey in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese for families, staff, students, and community members to share the qualities they would like to see in the next superintendent, as well as opinions about the strengths of the District and the challenges it faces.
July 28, 2025:
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The application window and community survey close at noon.
Review and Consideration
July 29, 2025:
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The process of reviewing candidate applications and community survey feedback begins. In line with a confidential hiring process, the District will not release the names or number of candidates under consideration and will interview candidates in closed session.
Deliberation and Appointment
August 2025:
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If a candidate is selected, the Board of Trustees will appoint a new superintendent at a publicly noticed Board meeting.
The District extends its congratulations to Superintendent Matsuda on his retirement and its deep gratitude to the AUHSD community for its strength and resilience in the face of change. We especially appreciate the internal candidates who submitted applications and all of the parents, students, classified and certificated staff members, and community stakeholders who completed the survey.
AUHSD Superintendent Search Survey
Dear AUHSD Community,
After more than eleven years of service as superintendent, Michael Matsuda has announced that he will be retiring. Having begun an internal search for the next superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District, the Board of Trustees invites you to provide input to inform its decision in making the appointment. We are interested to hear your thoughts about different experiences and characteristics of a superintendent, as well as your opinions about the strengths of the District and the challenges it faces. Please note that comments about specific individual(s) will not be considered.
We sincerely appreciate your commitment to the success of the district. This survey will remain open until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, July 28th and is available in English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese (see links below).
Brian O'Neal, President
AUHSD Board of Trustees
Survey: Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Search 2025
Survey (Spanish): Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Search 2025
Survey (Korean): Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Search 2025
Survey (Vietnamese): Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Search 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUHSD BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONGRATULATES SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL MATSUDA ON RETIREMENT, CELEBRATES TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP
Anaheim, CA — The Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) Board of Trustees congratulates Superintendent Michael Matsuda on the announcement of his retirement. Superintendent Matsuda’s 11-year tenure as AUHSD’s leader has been a defining era of innovation, student empowerment, and national recognition for public education transformation.
“Superintendent Matsuda’s legacy is one of courage, vision, and relentless dedication to equity, innovation, and student voice,” said Board President Brian O’Neal. “His leadership has not only reshaped AUHSD but has served as a national model for the future of public education.”
Under Superintendent Matsuda’s leadership, AUHSD voters approved Measures H and K resulting in a combined $745 million investment in the District’s facilities and infrastructure, AUHSD became the first California Democracy School District, the District secured over $26 million in community school funding (the most proportionally in the state), and empowered students through groundbreaking programs such as the Career Preparedness Systems Framework (CPSF), Anaheim’s Innovative Mentoring Experience (AIME), the Magnolia Agriscience Community Center, and innovative career pathways in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Biotech, and Game Design.
“Superintendent Matsuda’s legacy is defined by his bold belief in the power of student voice,” said Trustee Ron Hoshi. “From reimagining mentorship and career education to championing deeper learning, he challenged traditional systems and built a culture that values purpose-driven learning. His leadership has not only shaped innovative frameworks and partnerships, but also empowered generations of AUHSD students to find their voice and equip them with 21st century skills to change the world.”
Superintendent Matsuda’s tenure was marked by an unwavering focus on student/teacher agency and deeper learning—exemplified by thousands of student-led performance tasks and capstones that redefined traditional measures of success. His partnerships with higher education and industry—including with Google, UCI, Cal State Fullerton, and USC—expanded dual enrollment, credential pathways, and AI-integrated learning environments for students across the District.
“Superintendent Matsuda’s impact will be felt for generations,” said Trustee Annemarie Randle-Trejo. “His work reimagined what public schools can be—and our responsibility now is to carry that vision forward with integrity and resolve.”
From honoring student street data to uplifting marginalized voices, Superintendent Matsuda led with compassion and conviction. In his recent farewell address, he reminded AUHSD staff that “schools must not just sort talent, but discover it,” and that in an era of democratic fragility, schools must prepare students “for meaningful jobs, where we are building their abilities to transcend their learning, truly preparing them for college, careers, and life.”
The Board recognizes that this is a profound transition for the District. As part of this next chapter, the Board has launched a search for AUHSD’s next superintendent. Community members are invited to share their input via a multilingual survey open through July 28, 2025, at noon. The Board is committed to selecting a leader who embodies the values, innovation, and commitment that have defined the Anaheim Union High School District.
“Superintendent Michael Matsuda’s 11 years of visionary leadership have transformed AUHSD, making our district a national model for civic engagement, career preparedness, and community partnerships,” said Trustee Guerrero. “As we begin an internal search for our next Superintendent, we are committed to continuing the mission and core values that have brought our district this far, and will carry us forward into the future.”
The AUHSD Board of Trustees—Brian O’Neal (President), Jessica Guerrero (Clerk), Annemarie Randle-Trejo (Assistant Clerk), Ron Hoshi (Member), and Katherine H. Smith (Member)—express their deepest gratitude to Superintendent Matsuda for his years of extraordinary service and pledge their full commitment to guiding the District through this critical and exciting new phase.
To hear Superintendent Matsuda’s retirement announcement and to access the superintendent input survey in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese, please visit:
https://www.auhsd.us/District/138501-Superintendent-Search-2025.html
