TVUSD Superintendent Tim Ritter Announces Retirement

TEMECULA, CA — Longtime Temecula Valley Unified School District Superintendent Tim Ritter has announced his retirement, officials confirmed Thursday.

The TVUSD Board of Education accepted and approved Ritter's retirement notice on Tuesday; it becomes effective July 31, according to TVUSD Public Information Officer Laura Boss.

Ritter's successor will be Deputy Superintendent Jodi McClay. The board made the promotion, which takes effect Aug. 1.

“We want to first thank Mr. Ritter for his 19 years of service to the students and families of our district and his 36 years of dedication to education," said Sandy Hinkson, TVUSD board president. "For the past 10 years, he has led us as superintendent, always with compassion and caring, and a vision that has positioned TVUSD as an example of excellence in education. In the upcoming months, we look forward to his assistance as we transition into new leadership. We wish Mr. Ritter and his family the best as he moves into this next chapter of his life.”

According to his TVUSD bio, Ritter began his education career in 1985 as a high school biology teacher for the San Bernardino County-based Chaffey Joint Union High School District. His administrative career with TVUSD started in 2001 when he was named principal of Chaparral High School. In 2004, he was appointed principal of the newly opened Great Oak High School.

In 2007, Ritter was promoted to assistant superintendent of educational support services and later to ESS superintendent. He officially took the helm of TVUSD in July 2010, replacing retiring superintendent, Dr. Carol Leighty.

In May 2013, Ritter was named Certificated Administrator of the Year by the Riverside County Office of Education.

Hinkson also congratulated McClay on her promotion, stating, “Ms. McClay's experience, skills, breadth of knowledge, institutional memory, leadership ability, and overall alignment with the board's priorities were the deciding factors. We are a district that lauds itself for 'growing our own.' We currently have over 200 graduates who have been recognized for returning to TVUSD now as employees and giving back to our district. We feel the same way about our leaders. Ms. McClay has proven herself as a worthy, talented, and capable leader who has garnered her experience and skills over 20 years serving up through the ranks within TVUSD to now be our next superintendent. We are excited to warmly welcome and support our new leader as she steers us into the future.”