Soquel School Board Names New Superintendent

Henry Castaniada was named the new superintendent of the Soquel Union Elementary School District on Wednesday, a position he will officially take up on July 1.

Castaniada, a husband and father, spent the last seven years under the same title in the Loma Prieta School District. Before that, he served as a K-8 principal and worked as a director of human resources.

“I am excited about our opportunity to work together and to enhance the learning community of Soquel,” Castaniada told the Soquel School Board on Wednesday.

According to an official release from the school district, the superintendent selection process "included meetings with stakeholder focus groups, panel interviews and a site visit by two board members."

Castaniada will replace retiring superintendent Kathleen Howard, and will reportedly take a "significant reduction in salary to join the Soquel District."