After conducting a nationwide search and a lengthy process of gathering input from employees of the district and members of the community, which included the review of over 21 applicants, the Fillmore Unified School District Board of Education is honored to announce Christine Schieferle as the finalist to replace Interim Superintendent Dr. Chuck Weis.

The Fillmore Unified Board of Trustees will be entering into contract negotiations with Mrs. Schieferle and is expected to confirm an offer of employment at its June 1, 2021, regularly scheduled Board meeting. Mrs. Schieferle currently serves Santa Paula Unified School District as the Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services and has previously served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Ventura County Office of Education. She has also served as an Elementary Principal, Continuation High School Principal, High School Assistant Principal and Middle School Teacher in Fillmore Unified. In each of these roles, she has achieved high expectations with compassion, dedication, comprehensive support, and a commitment to strong collaboration and communication with students, families, staff, and the community.

Fillmore Unified Board President Tricia Gradias stated “We are excited to bring our strong leader, Christine Schieferle back home to lead our district. We are very fortunate to have selected Christine Schieferle as our finalist for the Superintendent position. After our extensive search and interview process with many very strong competitors, we found Christine, who comes from our school district. She is an excellent instructional leader, cares deeply about Fillmore and Piru and our children and brings us new perspectives and an excellent vision for Fillmore Unified. She is known as a strong communicator and collaborator who exemplifies transparent leadership, integrity, and respectful relationships. Her expectations for herself and others are very high and always centered on accelerating student achievement. In addition, her leadership goals are centered around creating inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for all district students. She embraces challenges that improve the organization and is driven to constantly improve relationships and bring people together to improve the lives of students.

Mrs. Schieferle was born, raised and currently resides in the community of Fillmore. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from California State University, Northridge.

“I care deeply about our community and believe in our students. I look forward to the 2021-22 school year and am ready to welcome our students and our families back to full-time, in-person instruction after the many challenges and trauma our community experienced during the past year. I am also committed, as your new Superintendent, to build trust and belonging among our students, families, and staff, while holding high expectations and accountability. I stand by the vision of the Fillmore Unified School District to ensure that each student is recognized, valued and inspired to be a life-long learners and prepared to be a contributing member of society.”