Southern California Administrator will become Shasta Union High School District’s Next Superintendent

Following nearly two decades of service, Superintendent Jim Cloney will retire at the end of this academic year, ushering in a new era of leadership for the Shasta Union High School District (SUHSD). The district encompasses five high schools and serves approximately 4,000 students across parts of Shasta County.

On Tuesday, May 13, the SUHSD Board voted unanimously to elect Dr. Owen Crosby as Cloney’s successor. Of approximately 10 candidates, Crosby emerged as the sole finalist for the coveted position, according to SUHSD Board President, Joe Ayer. 

Ayer and others have approved Crosby’s 3-year contract, which will become effective July 1, 2025. The contract includes a base salary of $275,000, a wellness benefit of $16,930.15 and stipends that collectively exceed $3,000, reflecting Crosby’s advanced educational degrees.

“We liked that he (Crosby) had a lot of experience working in schools, and particularly in high schools,” Ayer said. “We wanted someone that wanted to be here and be here for the long haul,” he continued, referencing the value of outgoing Superintendent Cloney’s nearly two-decade long term of service.

Selecting a school district superintendent in California involves a concerted effort by a district school board, which ultimately votes to choose the new official. Given the length of Superintendent Cloney’s tenure, current board members had never had to hire someone new.

“They (usually) either hop to another job or they retire. Having (a superintendent) for seventeen years was a very big blessing for us, but it also was a blind spot for us because none of us have ever been through that process before,” Ayer stated. “So we decided to hire a consultant agency to help us search.”

According to Ayer, the Board initiated the hiring process by evaluating what exactly the District, including the Board’s members, staff and families, was looking for in a new superintendent. The  board facilitated surveys and focus groups, Ayer said, in an effort to formulate an ideal leadership profile. The consultants then applied SUHSD’s district’s profile to each candidate, aiding the process of this “monumental decision”.

According to paperwork submitted as part of Crosby’s application materials, he has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California. Crosby currently works for the Huntington Beach School District (HBSD) where he’s served for the last thirteen years, including two years as Principal and 11 years as Assistant Superintendent. Prior to those roles, Crosby spent 14 years as a math teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal in the Corona-Norco Unified School District.

“I believe it is imperative that we fully support every aspect of the school experience for our students, including the core academic program, visual and performing arts, Career Technical Education, athletics, clubs, and activities,“ Crosby wrote to SUHSD’s Board in his application.

The District ultimately interviewed four applicants before selecting Crosby.

Jim Cloney: A Legacy of 17 Years of Service

Cloney’s tenure as SUHSD’s Superintendent, which began in 2008 after serving first as a school counselor and then in several other administrative roles, has been notable for many reasons. In a conversation with Shasta Scout, Cloney reflected upon the establishment of in-house District career technical education (CTE) programs, as well as navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ve had a different background, but I think it suited me well.” Cloney said, referencing how his experience in education began as a counselor rather than a teacher. “The highlight of my professional career has been serving as superintendent here for these last 17 years.”

New Superintendent Crosby seems to know he has big shoes to fill in Shasta County, something he addressed in-person at last week’s Board meeting.

“I know you (Superintendent Cloney) left the legacy behind, and I am excited to take the torch from you and continue down that path,” Crosby said, accepting the contract offer in person. “I look forward to working closely with each of you and to uphold the district’s longstanding commitment to excellence.”

Strategizing for the Future 

While SUHSD is in a good place both financially and in regards to student performance levels, Cloney said, Crosby will still have a slew of challenges to tackle when he assumes his new role in Shasta County.

Looking ahead, Cloney highlighted for Shasta Scout the sustained trend of declining student enrollment in public schools thats affecting like districts in California and throughout the nation. Contributing factors in Shasta include a dwindling county population as well as more schooling options for parents to choose from, Cloney said.

“Enrollment is the heart and soul of what we do. Obviously, if you don’t have students, you don’t have a school district,” he explained, noting a nearly 20 percent decrease in SUHSD student enrollment throughout his nearly two decades as Superintendent. “And I fully respect that parents have to choose the program that’s going to best meet the needs of their students.”

“It’s simply a competitive environment,” he continued. “So the way I look at it, we need to be in that world and competing. We need to be better.”

Cloney shared his hopes that his successor will continue some of the key initiatives he’s started, including an emerging district-wide effort to build in more time for academic and behavioral interventions during the school day. According to Cloney, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the District will section off periods during the day for students to either get extra help or engage in enrichment activities. 

“We really are confident that it’s going to work great for kids, but it’s a new initiative that he is now sort of inheriting,” Cloney said. “All the groundwork is laid, but it’s going to fall back to Dr. Crosby to help implement that and see that through.”

Ayer, SUHSD’s Board President, said he expects Crosby may face an adjustment period as he transitions from a much larger, more urban District to a rural area. HBSD, where Crosby’s been working, has approximately 14,000 students enrolled, compared to the about 4,000 in SUHSD. Administrators in small, rural districts, Ayer explained, must often assume several roles in addition to their primary job.

“In rural communities, smaller school districts, you wear a lot of hats,” he said. 

But while challenges may emerge, both Superintendent Cloney and the SUHSD Board feel strongly that Crosby is the best candidate for this role. 

“After we met him and we started interacting with him, we really felt like he was gonna be a great fit for our community,” Ayer shared. “We have some great people that work in our organization, and I hope that we’ll continue to raise up leaders for the next generation of school leaders in our area and in California.”

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