Late Tuesday night, Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District's Chief Business Official Jon Petersen announced to colleagues that the Board of Trustees of the Escondido Union High School District had appointed him to the superintendency of EUHSD for the upcoming school year.
It means Petersen will be leaving his position with VCPUSD pending formal action to be taken to approve his contract with EUHSD next week.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jon for his years of dedication and service to VCPUSD," VCPUSD Superintendent Ron McCowan said in correspondence with the staff. "Over the years, Jon has filled many roles in Valley Center-Pauma, from beloved English teacher, Principal, and, for the last several years, Chief Business Officer. In each capacity, Jon has left an indelible mark on both students and staff. His quiet, calm demeanor has provided stability, comfort, and wisdom during life’s trials and tribulations.
"Jon’s guidance and counsel during the COVID pandemic were instrumental to our district’s success in navigating distance learning and the safe return to in-person instruction."
Petersen recently helped guide the district to the finish line on a solar panel canopy project, as well as the implementation of a line of electric buses acquired by VCPUSD.
McCowan reiterated the quality of human being and colleague that Petersen has been during his time with VCPUSD.
"There is no doubt that Jon will lead EUHSD with the same intelligence, good judgment, and decency that define him as a man," McCowan wrote. "They are lucky to have him at the helm."