New elementary superintendent takes the helm July 1

Her contract runs for three years and the board will review her salary annually, based on her performance evaluation and the district’s budget.The outgoing superintendent, Dr. Luis Villegas started at $146,950. His current salary is about $159,000 plus $10,000 for health insurance. Dr. Villegas has been with the district for five years. Villegas said it was with mixed emotions that he informed the school board of his decision. Villegas says he believes the district has made significant progress during his tenure here. “It’s been an uphill battle at times,” he noted. “We’ve got teachers doing a terrific job and support staff that are doing a terrific job in terms of working with kids.” He said there was no pressure from the board for him to leave.DeVita began her education career as a high school Spanish teacher in Rockton, Illinois. After six years she relocated to the Morongo Unified School District where she taught Spanish and English for one year before becoming an assistant principal at an elementary school in 1989 in the same district. From 1991 through 2002 she served as a school principal. She was named as Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services in 2002.