Edward Velasquez, who has served as interim superintendent of three school districts in San Diego County in the past year and a half, has been named interim San Diego County superintendent of schools.
Velasquez was voted in by the San Diego County Board of Education at its meeting Wednesday night. He will remain at the helm while Randy Ward is on paid administrative leave.
Ward is on leave pending an investigation into his compensation, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Velasquez had been interim superintendent for the Poway Unified School District since the beginning of this month. His 38 years in education also included stints as interim superintendent of the Alpine Union School District from March to June 2016 and the San Ysidro School District from February to June 2015, according to the county Office of Education. He has also worked with law enforcement and at-risk youth.
Schools run by the county include those for incarcerated youngsters, foster kids and homeless children.
"Mr. Velasquez has experience with the kind of students we educate here at the County Office of Education and a great personal background," board President Gregg Robinson said.
Velasquez's start date and compensation are still to be determined. County education officials said his selection was contingent upon an agreement between the board and Velasquez and is to be considered at next Wednesday's meeting.
Velasquez was unanimously selected from a group of 12 applicants that was whittled to five finalists, officials said.
