MICHAEL BUCHANAN

Staff Writer

POWAY -- Poway school board trustees announced Friday that they have picked a new superintendent to lead the 32,000-student district.

He is Donald Phillips, superintendent of Palo Alto Unified School District.

Phillips, who was selected from a pool of 23 applicants, is expected to start the job by Sept. 1, a school official said.

The move comes nearly four months after school officials began looking for someone to replace former longtime superintendent Robert Reeves, who retired in June amid allegations that he sexually harassed two female employees. A district investigator found evidence to support most of the harassment claims and the district is currently negotiating a settlement with the two employees.

Steve McMillan, president of the Poway Unified School District's board of trustees, said he believes Phillips will help the district move forward and reach higher levels of academic achievement.

"It's been a long struggle, but we're all looking forward to the start of a new series of changes in Poway," McMillan said.

Phillips said Friday that he wanted to lead "a dynamic district that is growing."

"I wanted to move to a large suburban district but also one that pushes to be better," Phillips said.

McMillan said Phillips was the "stand-out" candidate, in part, because of his experience. Phillips has been the superintendent in Palo Alto since 1997 and was superintendent of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District for the previous seven years.

Phillips has been credited with managing growth in his districts, developing partnerships with the community and creating programs to boost student achievement, such as a Saturday school program where struggling students get extra help, McMillan said.

Phillips is no stranger to North County. He was associate superintendent of the Vista Unified School District from 1988-90 and principal of Vista High School from 1986-88.

Pete McHugh, associate superintendent of the Vista Unified School District, said Phillips was "an exceptional educator" and Vista benefited from his presence.

"He has great people skills combined with an ability to analyze systems and arrive at conclusions that are best for kids," McHugh said. "I view him as one of the premier superintendents in the state."

Phillips said he and his family had always wanted to return to San Diego, and he particularly wanted to work in Poway.

"I told my wife if Poway ever came open that we'd have to think hard about this one," Phillips said. "Poway was one district I was always interested in."

Phillips was also a middle school principal in Lakeside, Ca., and Salem, Mass. He holds a doctorate and a master's degree in social policy from Harvard University.

McMillan said the board also chose Phillips because of his devotion to his family. He and his wife, Robyn, have been married for 29 years. They have two sons, one in college and one who will be a sophomore in high school this fall.

McMillan said he believes Phillips' personality will appeal to employees in the school district.

"I think for a long time the schools were always put first -- not the people," McMillan said. "People make up such an integral part of the education process and if we don't nurture them, how can they nurture our children in the classroom?"

John Collins, who has served as acting superintendent, will return to his post as associate superintendent when Phillips arrives, McMillan said.

Phillips said he will make frequent trips to Poway between now and when he starts his new job on Sept. 1. He said the controversy the district has been involved in is "a sad chapter" for the district but one he will help close.

"It's not quite water under the bridge, but it's getting close to becoming water under the bridge," Phillips said.

Contact staff writer Michael Buchanan at (760) 740-5420 or mbuchanan@nctimes.com.

8/4/01