Dr. Luis Valentino named new superintendent at Coachella Valley Unified School District

THERMAL –  Dr. Luis Valentino has been selected as the new Superintendent of Schools, the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Education announced.  Valentino was appointed at the May 27th  Board Meeting. He is scheduled to begin duties July 1.

Dr. Luis Valentino is described as a transformational leader with more than 30 years of experience serving diverse urban school districts. He is bilingual and bicultural. Throughout his career, Valentino has fought to address the marginalization of historically underserved students and their communities and has been an advocate for equity.

Board President Joey Acuna Jr. in a prepared statement said,  “The board is happy to welcome Dr. Valentino to the CVUSD family! We look forward to working with him to lead our district and providing our students, staff and community a progressive path into the future.”

CVUSD Names New Superintendent: Luis ValentinoDr. Valentino currently serves as Chief Academic Officer with the Portland Public Schools, where he has focused on creating comprehensive, rigorous, and supported educational experiences for the students he serves.  He has served as CEO of the Valgar Institute, where he launched several resources for educational leaders. He has also served as Superintendent, Associate Superintendent/ Chief Academic Officer, and Director, site administration and classroom teacher.

Inn a prepared statement, Valentino said, “I am excited and honored for the opportunity to serve the Coachella Valley Unified School District.  I look forward to meeting and collaborating with students, staff, and community, as we embark on a shared journey to realizing our vision so that every CVUSD graduate will possess the skills and personal motivation needed to achieve their personal dream.”

Valentino has taught at UCLA, USC, and Cal State, Los Angeles. He holds a BS degree from University of Texas at Austin, an MS from Pepperdine University and an MA from Cal State, Los Angeles. He also holds an Ed.D. from UCLA and has completed an Advanced Leadership program at Harvard University.

Valentino did share information with the Board about his departure from the Albuquerque Public Schools, according to information released from Lissette Santiago, community engagement manager. Valentino took full responsibility as the Superintendent and stepped away voluntarily which he felt, at the time, was in the best interests of the Albuquerque Public Schools system and the community.

Following weeks of turmoil, Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Luis Valentino resigned after just over two months on the job.

Valentino resigned after NM Political Report revealed he hired an Assistant Superintendent, Jason Martinez, without conducting a background check. NM Political Report found out that Martinez was facing trial for four felonies related to sexual abuse of a child. Martinez was later acquitted of those charges, though he violated his terms of release by traveling to New Mexico.

Valentino received a buyout that ended with him receiving nearly $100,000, according to NM Political Report,

“We believe he will be a great fit at CVUSD and we give him our full support,” Santiago said in the release.

Valentino is married to his wife Libby, and has two children, Audrey and Anthony.  The Valentino family has lived in the Coachella Valley for the past three to five years.

Image Sources

  • Luis Valentino: Portland Public Schools
  • Coachella Valley Unified School District: CVUSD