Pacific Grove Unified begins search for new superintendent

The schools board overseeing Pacific Grove Unified in Monterey County launched its search for a replacement for Superintendent Ralph Gómez Porras, who resigned effective June 30, the Monterey Herald reported.

Porras announced his resignation March 31 after 16 years as superintendent of the 1,812-student K-12 district south of Monterey. He told the board he was resigning to pursue another job, but didn’t elaborate.

The board is sending requests for proposals to three executive search firms, and plans to announce its next steps at its April 20 board meeting.

Meanwhile, members of the public and the board thanked Porras for his leadership.

“Over the past sixteen years in the Pacific Grove Unified School District, Dr. Ralph Gómez Porras has served our staff, students, families and community with his time and talents. We are grateful for Dr. Porras’ leadership and dedication over these many years, especially during the pandemic. With his announcement this week that he is moving on to a new opportunity, we honor and respect his decision and wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” the board said in a prepared statement. “(The district) will continue its focus on providing high-quality education programs while prioritizing the health and safety of our students and staff. We believe our wonderful district is heading in the right direction and want to continue on our current trajectory.”