Dear IUSD Community,
I am writing to share my decision to retire as the Superintendent of Schools for the Irvine Unified School District on January 31, 2025. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to all of you for entrusting me to lead this world-class educational community. Being a member of the IUSD family and working alongside singularly dedicated board members, teachers and staff for nearly 30 years remains the honor of my lifetime. My decision to leave came at the behest of my family and my physicians. While I had hoped to remain in my role for several more years, I now know that it’s time to prioritize my health and the well-being of my family.
As I prepare for my departure, I do so with enormous pride in our collective accomplishments. My fourteen years as Superintendent reinforced my belief in the “US” at the center of IUSD. The strength of the relationships that exist between all stakeholders and our shared sense of purpose speak to a culture deeply rooted in our core values of integrity, empowerment, collaboration, trustworthiness and learning.
IUSD’s reputation as one of California’s highest-performing districts remains a testament to the commitment of our 4,000 staff members to deliver on our promise to create the highest quality educational experience for our more than 38,000 students. It is your dedication, resilience, and commitment to our mission that have made this journey possible, and I am confident the incredible leadership, systems, and community support will ensure that IUSD continues to thrive, adapt, and set new standards for educational excellence. Our district is uniquely poised to navigate the challenges and the opportunities the future holds.
The Board of Education will soon initiate the process of identifying an interim superintendent and moving forward with the process of selecting a new leader for IUSD by working closely with an expert search firm. This transition will be handled thoughtfully, ensuring the next Superintendent will uphold our district’s core values and invest in our mission.
Thank you for the trust and support you have shown me throughout my time as Superintendent. I will cherish the memories, friendships, and accomplishments of these years, and I look forward to connecting with many of you in the weeks to come. Thank you again for the privilege of serving this extraordinary district. I look forward to watching the future of IUSD, one of the most innovative and high-achieving school districts in the world, unfold.
With my deepest gratitude and respect,
Terry L. Walker
Superintendent of Schools
Irvine Unified School District