Capo Unified Gets New Superintendent

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Dr. Christopher Brown was officially named as the new superintendent for the Capistrano Unified School District on June 14.

In a unanimous vote, the CUSD Board of Trustees approved a contract for Brown, who is taking over the role from former Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte. Brown begins the role on July 1. His contract runs through June 30, 2027.

Brown’s initial salary is for $335,000 and will be increased by 3.98% after completion of his first, second, and third years of service “to be competitive with those of superintendents in similarly sized Orange County districts,” according to the terms of his contract.

He comes to CUSD from the Long Beach Unified School District, where he served as the assistant superintendent for Research, Assessment, and School Improvement.

Brown said he was “excited” to be selected.

“I’ve spent the last 20 years working in the Long Beach Unified School District as a teacher and leader,” he said. “I’ve

The grand jury’s investigation found there was “practically” no support for arming teachers and school staff among Orange County educators.

“Among the reasons given by school personnel were the obvious ones of injury or death of innocent students or staff, and law enforcement mistaking anyone holding a weapon as the suspect,” the report said. “Another reason was that without ongoing training, people lose the physiological responses to stress that enable fine motor skills and marksmanship.”

A “small number” of law enforcement representatives reportedly supported arming teachers so a “threat could be eliminated prior to a first responder arriving.”

“While representing a tiny minority of their peers, some in law enforcement would support arming school personnel, but only with stringent restrictions such as rigorous training, marksmanship, and proven sound judgment,” the report said. “Most law enforcement personnel believe arming of any non-law enforcement school personnel to be an unacceptable idea under any circumstance.”

Further recommendations include having wire mesh fences around campus perimeters.

The report noted most Orange County school districts have an “an effective parent and visitor management system” and have ongoing “collaborative relationships” with law enforcement agencies.

“Fifteen of the 21 districts that reported collaborative working relationships with at least one local law enforcement department also reported conducting annual safety assessments,” the report said. “Even though all 15 districts may conduct their annual safety inspections in collaboration with local law enforcement, only five of these 15 districts search for candidates.

Trustees voted, 4-3, to terminate Brulte’s contract in December 2022 for undisclosed reasons. Deputy Superintendent Clark Hampton has been serving as interim superintendent since then.

“I’m committed to working with the board as a team member to continue to improve the already great outcomes that Capistrano is enjoying for its students and staff members,” Brown said. “I really can’t wait to spend time in our schools meeting our teachers, the staff, the administrators who are working so hard for our students. I’m really eager to see our students perform academically, socially, athletically, musically, artistically—to really see what they’re doing in our schools.” reported doing so.” ful,” Jones said. had the opportunity to learn from some great educators there. I’m really excited to learn from some of the great educators that are here in Capistrano Unified, as a member of the team moving forward.”

Brown further said he looks forward to meeting community members as well.

Trustees praised Brown and said they looked forward to working with him.

As of press time, the Capistrano Unified School District had not responded to a request for comment.

Orange County’s school districts, including CUSD, have a 90-day window to submit state-required responses to the grand jury report’s findings and recommendations.

The full report can be found at ocgrandjury.org.

Board President Krista Castellanos said Brown’s experience at all levels of district leadership contributed to his selection, from classroom instruction to school modernization.

Trustees made a visit to LBUSD prior to the official approval as part of a “verification” visit to learn more about Brown. He was already the preferred candidate prior to the visit.

“Known for his character, empathy, and calm demeanor, Dr. Brown is highly regarded by Long Beach colleagues because of his record of success as a district and site leader,” CUSD said in a news release after the approval by trustees.

Brown was recruited by consultants CUSD had hired during a monthslong

“Dr. Brown, welcome,” Trustee Amy Hanacek said. “We’re very excited to have you here to share this great district and to see that forward focus that we know you’ll bring.”

Trustee Gila Jones said she has been telling people “who (are) willing to listen how happy they are going to be” with Brown in the seat.

“I know that it’s going to be wonder-

“His co-workers also describe him as bold, and a ‘systems thinker who is not afraid to make tough decisions,’ ” CUSD continued. “Many lauded his understanding of what it takes to lead a large, diverse TK-12 system.”

Brown earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Irvine, before attaining his master’s degree at the California State University at Long Beach. He also has a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern California focused on preparation for superintendency, according to a provided biography.