ENCINITAS -- On his first day as superintendent of Encinitas' elementary school district, Tim Baird said he already feels he and the district are a good fit.

Baird took the helm of the Encinitas Union School District on Wednesday, replacing Lean King, who retired after four years as superintendent.

"This is a great team here," Baird said. "Everybody has been very helpful and supportive."

Board President Marla Strich said Wednesday that she was excited to have Baird as part of that team.

"I think our district is in great hands," she said.

Baird said he was impressed with the district's history of high achievement and wants to make sure the district continues to soar academically.

He spent most of his first day meeting with district officials and learning more about the area's schools, he said.

After interviewing four finalists in May, the school board unanimously picked Baird to lead the 5,600-student district. The trustees chose him because of his strong personal and professional skills, Strich said.

He will earn more than $200,000 in his new position, which is roughly the same as King made.

Baird started teaching nearly 30 years ago at an elementary school in Irvine. He moved to central California as an assistant principal and principal. Most recently, he spent eight years at the 3,100-student Ojai Unified School District in Ventura County, two as an assistant superintendent and six as superintendent.

In Ojai, Baird was able to keep test scores up while dealing with increasing financial challenges, said Linda Taylor, the Ojai district's board president.

He also stayed active in the community, Taylor said. He helped start the Ojai Valley Green Coalition and is a board member of the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation, the Ojai Chamber of Commerce, and the Ojai Performing Arts Theater Foundation.

Baird said he plans to become involved with some similar organizations in Encinitas once he settles in. He plans to join the local Rotary Club and said he is interested in organizations that focus on childhood or environmental issues.

Over the summer, Baird said he plans to meet with parents and community leaders as well as education officials from Encinitas and surrounding districts.

"My calendar is filling up fast," he said.

Call staff writer Stacy Brandt at 760-901-4009.