Atticus Reyes, President, Trustee Area 3
Phil Moncharsh, Vice President, Trustee Area 1
Dr. Jim Halverson, Clerk, Trustee Area 5
Blair Braney, Trustee Area 2
Kathy Smith, Trustee Area 4

OJAI UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SELECTS NEW SUPERINTENDENT

July 8, 2023

The Ojai Unified School District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Dr. Sherril Knox has been selected as the new superintendent of schools, pending Board approval at the upcoming July 13, 2023 Board Meeting.

Input for the new superintendent included sessions with administrators, staff, parents, and district stakeholders. Multiple community open forums were held and an online survey was available for anyone to complete. Using this information, Leadership Associates, a top search firm, conducted an extensive search. The Board selected Dr. Knox from an incredibly talented and impressive list of candidates.

Prior to serving as the Interim Superintendent since March 2023, Sherrill Knox served as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. In that role, she organized and coordinated curriculum, instruction, and assessment operations for the K-12 continuum. This position also oversaw district accountability and Title IX compliance.

Dr. Knox grew up in the Ojai Valley and attended Ojai schools starting in 5th grade at Mira Monte Elementary School. She attended Matilija Junior High School and is a proud graduate of Nordhoff High School. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish at the University of San Diego and returned to Nordhoff High School to teach both Spanish and English. During her time at Nordhoff, she also served as a class advisor, reading intervention teacher, and she taught English as a second language in the adult education program. Additionally, during her time at Nordhoff, she attended California Lutheran University where she earned her Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Knox has worked as an administrator in Simi Valley Unified School District; as Activities Director, Assistant Principal and Principal. In 2014, she was able to return home as the Principal of Topa Topa Elementary School, and became Assistant Superintendent 3 years later

Dr. Knox resides in the Ojai Valley with her daughter and son. Both children attend Ojai Unified schools.

Ojai Adult School

Ojai Unified School Board Press Release