Search for New Chief of Schools Narrowed

The Irvine Unified School District may appoint a new superintendent as early as Tuesday’s board meeting.

The district Board of Trustees began searching for a new superintendent before Dennis M. Smith left the post July 1 for the Orange County, Fla., school district, which includes Orlando.

School officials said a tentative selection for a replacement has been made and the trustees this week were visiting the unnamed candidate’s current district. A list of candidates was not released, and school officials would not comment further.

Sue Long, deputy superintendent of human resources, is filling the top spot while the board works with an educational resource firm to find a permanent successor. She is not considered a candidate for the permanent job.

A priority for the new superintendent will be to expand the district’s class-size reduction program in the primary grades. Each third-grade class will be limited to 20 students per teacher, down from an average of 30 students. First- and second-grade classes were shrunk last year.

For kindergarten pupils, classes also will be reduced in size.

The board meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the district’s administration office, 5050 Barranca Parkway.

Information: (714) 651-0444.