South Bay District Says Goodbye to President, Assistant Superintendent

After eight years as president of the South Bay Union School District school board, Althea Jones is retiring from her post.

A new president will be selected and other positions will be filled at an annual reorganization meeting Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in district offices.

Trustee-elect Melanie Ellsworth will also join the board at this meeting.

"Althea is elegant, compassionate and inspirational," said superintendent Carol Parish, noting Jones' background in teaching, nonprofits and business.

In her last term in office, Jones said she wanted to stress community involvement in decision making.

"I tried to put a process in place where people are working and talking at the same table. We want to hear what people have to say," she said.

A month prior at the board's Oct. 14 meeting. Jones was handing out flowers and plaques as the district also said goodbye to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Francisco Escobedo.

Escobedo started his career as a teacher in Imperial Beach and as the district's assistant superintendent for the past four years managed several important departments.

He was in charge of district curriculum and assessment of teacher performance as well as Student Services, which oversees GATE, special education and English learners classes. 

The Family Resource Center, he said, is "basically an office of social workers for families and organized parent volunteers."

Escobedo became superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District on Nov. 1.

"I am humbled by your words," he said after many thanks from the board. "I will always carry a piece of this in my heart."

Shelley Burgess is the district's new assistant superintendent.