Rincon Valley Union School District Hired Interim Leader
The district named Matthew Harris as interim superintendent to guide operations through June 2027.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Do you prefer that your local school district hire non-retired superintendents to avoid work-hour limits?
Following the resignation of former superintendent Mike Herfurth on Oct. 8, 2026, the Rincon Valley Union School District has appointed Matthew Harris to serve as interim superintendent. The district, which serves approximately 3,200 students in Santa Rosa, expects Harris to lead operations for 155 days during the current school year.
Why it matters
The appointment provides stable leadership for the district as it continues to manage financial recovery efforts. The move follows a challenging period for the district that included a negative budget certification in the 2025-26 school year and the closure of its oldest campus.
Matthew Harris, who has 2.5 decades of experience in education, will earn a base salary of $169,091 for his 155-day contract. The district, which authorized approximately 60 layoffs last year, serves a total student population of 3,200.
The players
Matthew Harris
An educator with 2.5 decades of experience who previously led Petaluma City Schools for five years.
Mike Herfurth
The former superintendent of the Rincon Valley Union School District whose resignation prompted the current leadership search.
Rincon Valley Union School District
A school district serving 3,200 students in Santa Rosa that is currently managing a negative budget certification.
The details
To secure leadership after the departure of Mike Herfurth, board members contacted retired superintendents and candidates to identify potential hires. The board selected Harris, a non-retiree, to ensure the district remains in compliance with state pension system work-hour caps. Following a review in a closed session, the board moved to finalize the contract for the 2026-27 school year.
Timeline
Oct. 8, 2026: Mike Herfurth resigned from his position.
Oct. 13, 2026: The board scheduled the approval of the interim contract.
Oct. 22, 2026: The district will hold a vote to select a search firm.
January 2027: The district plans to officially launch the search for a permanent superintendent.
June 30, 2027: The interim contract for leadership duties concludes.
The Home Front
The district's decision to hire a non-retiree reflects the strict operational constraints imposed by California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) post-retirement earnings limits. This hiring choice helps the district avoid administrative penalties that can impact school-year budgets.
Parents should monitor upcoming board meeting agendas for information regarding the permanent superintendent search timeline. Families can also track the status of the district budget recovery by reviewing the official minutes from the board's public sessions.
The takeaway
The appointment of an interim leader marks a transition period for the district while it works to stabilize its budget and personnel. Residents interested in long-term leadership changes should calendar the district's planned search firm vote on Oct. 22, 2026.
What happens next
The district is scheduled to vote on a firm to lead the permanent superintendent search on Oct. 22, 2026, with the broader candidate search set to begin in January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates in Administration regarding school district oversight and local governance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Live Poll
Do you prefer that your local school district hire non-retired superintendents to avoid work-hour limits?
