|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Redwood City School District has found its next superintendent.
Longtime Bay Area education leader Christian J. Rubalcaba will take the reins for retiring district Superintendent John Baker.
During its meeting Wednesday, Jan. 21, the district board unanimously approved a two-year contract for Rubalcaba to be the new superintendent. The contract includes a base salary of $285,000.
Rubalcaba, currently the assistant superintendent of student services for the San Mateo-Foster City district, is scheduled to start his role with RCSD on July 1.
“Redwood City School District represents everything I believe in public education— a strong commitment to equity, high expectations for all and a deep care for each and every student,” Rubalcaba said in a news release.
“My education philosophy is grounded in the belief that when we invest in our staff, build strong systems and center students in every decision, amazing things happen,” he added. “I look forward to working alongside our educators, families, staff and partners to continue to strengthen all RCSD schools.”
At San Mateo-Foster City, Rubalcaba took on several additional top-level administrative roles. He served as district director of school leadership and principal at both Laurel Elementary and Abbott Middle schools, according to a short biography from the educational leadership group Pahara Institute, where Rubalcaba is a fellow.
In the South Bay, the biography said, he was an assistant principal with the Franklin-McKinley district and bilingual teacher and instructional coach for San José Unified. He began his career in education with Teach For America, a recruitment and preparation program for aspiring educators.
An RCSD profile added that Rubalcaba earned a doctorate in educational leadership from San Francisco State, a master’s in history from Harvard and a bachelor’s in English literature and psychology from Purdue.
“Dr. Rubalcaba’s impeccable qualifications, familiarity with our diverse community, irrepressible enthusiasm for education and our kids, and commitment to academic excellence for all our students make him the right fit for our district,” RCSD board President David Weekly said in the release.
In another statement, Weekly noted that Rubalcaba was chosen following a process that drew strong interest from a high caliber of education leaders nationwide.
The process, in partnership with executive search firm Leadership Associates, included input and feedback from RCSD staff, community groups, and a survey, the district said. The board ultimately interviewed four finalists.
“As a board, we carefully reviewed each candidate’s background, leadership experience and track record of impact in districts similar to ours,” Weekly said. “Through this comprehensive review, it became clear that Dr. Rubalcaba stood out among a very impressive group of candidates.”
The board would negotiate a new contract with Rubalcaba if it seeks to keep him as superintendent beyond the current agreement.
Off the bat, Rubalcaba will be leading a district, like others, that is contending with falling enrollment and a structural budget deficit.
RCSD’s enrollment – currently at about 6,400 children but once numbering 10,000 – is projected to fall by more than 1,000 students going into the 2033–34 school year, according to the district.
The district is also eyeing proposed cuts and savings totaling $6.3 million for 2026-27, after already taking cost-savings measures worth $6.6 million this school year.
Baker announced his retirement early this school year. He has served the district for more than four decades in various positions, including as a teacher, assistant principal and deputy superintendent. He has been the superintendent for the last 10 years.
