Superintendent Mary Beth Kastan Announces Retirement

In a video message shared with GUHSD staff, Mrs. Kastan expressed gratitude for “the opportunity to collaborate with thousands of caring public servants in building award-winning academic programs, cutting-edge career training to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, and our District’s great tradition of excellence in athletics and the arts.” She also expressed gratitude to the members of the GUHSD Governing Board for the unique privilege of working alongside them “in carrying-out their shared vision of empowering each GUHSD student to build the best future for themselves and our East County community.”

Mrs. Kastan began her career with GUHSD in 1987 as a Social Science Teacher at Mount Miguel High School. She then served as Administrative Intern at West Hills High School, Assistant Principal at Valhalla High School, District Director of Curriculum, Principal of Valhalla High School, and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services before being named Superintendent in the Spring of 2022. 

School safety was a top priority of Mrs. Kastan’s tenure as Superintendent. Her achievements include strengthened training for school safety teams, communications equipment upgrades across the District, security infrastructure improvements, new procedures to protect students from the threat of human trafficking, and expanded access for parents to tools to help keep students safe online, among many others. In recognition of her outstanding service to East County, Mrs. Kastan was named the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Public Service Person of the Year.

“We are extremely grateful for Superintendent Kastan’s service to our students, staff, and families,” said GUHSD Governing Board President Rob Shield. “Over her 37 years of service to our District, she has shown herself to be an outstanding instructional leader who cares deeply about kids, and our District will benefit from her leadership and contributions for many years to come,” he added.

The GUHSD Governing Board will conduct a search for the next Superintendent with hopes to name the next Superintendent in the Spring. Mrs. Kastan’s last day is expected to be June 30, 2024.

Photo: Mary Beth Kastan. Highlights of Mrs. Kastan’s extraordinary career can be found here.