A three-month long hiring process finally come to an end last week as the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District appointed former Orestimba High School Principal Justin Pruett the district’s new superintendent. 

Pruett will be taking over the position from Randy Fillpot, a former NCLUSD superintendent who retired in 2021 but was asked to step in temporarily following the abrupt departure of Shawn Posey in January 2023.

The district approved Pruett for a three and a half year contract at $202,052.

“It’s very humbling to know that my community supports me,” said Pruett.

The decision to appoint Pruett wasn’t unanimous. Board members Janice Conforti and Hurst Roselle voted against the appointment. 

“I feel there were more qualified candidates for this position and with more experience. Mr. Pruett has only been in the office since August 2023,” said Conforti

Both Conforti and Hurst deemed Pruett “unfit” for the roll, stating that other candidates were better matched to succeed leadership as the superintendent.

“He has only six months admin experience in the district office level. We had far more experienced candidates,“ said Hurst.

Board members in support of Pruett praised his experience, leadership, and skill in education and deemed him as a person who can perform at the “next level.” 

Pruett said he is confident that his smaller scale experience will be well applied to large-scale operations.

“Everything that is broken down, you handle multiple departments, on a smaller level. I would compare running a medium-sized comprehensive school to running a small district,” said Pruett.

Community members at the Jan. 22 school board meeting cheered at the decision. 

“I know Mr. Pruett to be an excellent leader,” said Tim Bazar.

Pruett said he understands that there is much work to be done, coming in following a temporary superintendent.

“We are going to be behind a bit and we need to get caught back-up,” said Pruett.