Sonoma Valley School District names new superintendent

Dr. Adrian Palazuelos, who just wrapped up a seven-year run as a district superintendent in Ventura County, will take Sonoma Valley Unified School District’s top spot effective June 1. 

A unanimous choice of the board of trustees, Dr. Palazuelos was officially appointed at its May 18 meeting.

“Dr. Palazuelos is an experienced and efficacious leader, who has shown tremendous success implementing educational programs, enhancing communication systems, and positively impacting the districts in which he has worked,” said Melanie Blake, SVUSD board chair. “His commitment to academic excellence, educational equity, and collaboration with all members of the Sonoma Valley community, will be a tremendous asset to our District.

A product of California public schools and a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Palazuelos began his career in education as a bilingual educator before expanding his collegiate credits to include a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from UCLA, along with a PhD in Education from UC Santa Barbara. 

He has held leadership roles at all levels of education – including Elementary, Middle and High School Principal positions – and also spent time as Associate Superintendent of School Leadership and Support for the Natomas Unified School District in the greater Sacramento region.

Most recently, Dr. Palazuelos served as Superintendent of Fillmore Unified School District in Ventura County. His notable accomplishments, Blake said, included expanding college and career offerings in technical education pathways, investment in a new career technical education facility, increased access to Advanced Placement courses and exams, and enhancing a partnership with the local community college.

“We welcome Dr. Palazuelos and his wife, Julie, who have been married for over 20 years and are the proud parents of four children,” Blake said.