New Folsom Cordova Unified superintendent rises from pool of 36 candidates

Erik Swanson is the new Folsom Cordova Unified School District Superintendent, the district announced May 3. The FCUSD Board of Trustees approved a three-year contract with Swanson at the May 2 meeting, said FCUSD spokesperson Robin Mandeville. The new chief will take office July 1. Current Superintendent Dr. Sarah Koligian announced her retirement earlier this year and will continue until the end of the fiscal year. "I am honored to work with our Board of Trustees in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District," Swanson said. "I am excited to join a team that envisions empowering all students to thrive through educational excellence." Throughout his career, Swanson said he focused on fostering school experiences in which every student feels seen, safe, connected and included. "The commitment to excellence in academic and social emotional programs, as outlined in FCUSD's mission statement, aligns with my commitment to support the conditions in which each student can reach their full potential," said Swanson. The Board of Education collaborated with education search firm McPherson & Jacobson, LLC to seek the next superintendent. The effort involved extensive community outreach to collect input from parents, employees, community members and other vital stakeholder groups and their preferences. The school board reviewed 36 internal and external candidates and narrowed them down to a short list of 10 through a rigorous screening process and interviews in April. The board unanimously selected Swanson as the finalist and best fit for the district. "The Board of Education is thrilled to welcome Erik Swanson as the next Superintendent of FCUSD," said School Board President Tim Hooey. "During the search process, the Board agreed on five criteria we were looking for in a new Superintendent: an effective leader, an operational manager, a visionary and innovative leader, an educational equity leader, and a communicator and collaborator. Mr. Swanson has demonstrated himself to be an exemplar in all five categories throughout his career. We believe Mr. Swanson will work to create the best environment for all students and staff in FCUSD to thrive." Swanson currently serves as a senior advisor for the Teaching, Learning and Leading Center at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence. His work is focused on leading direct technical assistance to districts across the state. Swanson is focused on supporting superintendents and education services teams throughout California to improve equitable learning outcomes for all students. While at CCEE, Swanson became a compassionate systems master practitioner from MIT and works with the experts at the Carnegie Foundation for the advancement of teaching with improvement science in education. Before joining CCEE, Swanson served as the assistant superintendent of education services in the Stockton Unified School District. In addition, Swanson served as superintendent for St. Hope Public Schools, principal for Monterey Trail High School, and principal for middle schools in Sacramento City and Twin Rivers school districts. Other accomplishments include completing certification in the National Superintendents Academy in 2018, and as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 administrative credentialing coach for the Sacramento County Office of Education. "I applaud the Folsom Cordova USD Board of Education for their selection of Erik Swanson as their next superintendent," states Dave Gordon, Sacramento County superintendent of schools. "I know Erik, and I know well how his leadership in our county over the past two decades has benefited students. He is a tireless, compassionate and imaginative leader who supports his staff and focuses on excellence for every learner. He is a great match for a district dedicated to providing a world-class education for every student." Swanson earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UC Davis, a Master of Arts in Educational Counseling from the University of San Francisco and completed all coursework for a UC Berkeley leadership program, staff said. Swanson is a Sacramento native and third-generation alumnus of Sacramento High School. Erik and his wife, Frances, a third-grade teacher in the Twin Rivers Unified School District, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year and have two teenage daughters. The district will host two meet-and-greet events for the community to meet Swanson. All are welcome to attend: Wednesday, May 8, from 5-6 p.m. at Mills Middle School, 10439 Coloma Road, in Rancho Cordova; and Friday, May 10, from 5-6 p.m. at Vista del Lago High School, 1970 Broadstone Parkway, in Folsom.