MARCH 2026 Page 9 SCHOOL BOARD NEWS BARSTOW UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Leading with Heart: BUSD Honors Retiring Superintendent Deanna Swearingen Every summer is special because, as teachers and school staff, we celebrate the graduation of a class of high school seniors and welcome a new class of kindergarten students. It is a tradition that everyone is used to. But for BUSD Superintendent Deanna Swearingen, the start of the summer break will be different. Mrs. Swearingen will retire at the end of June 2026, beginning a summer break unlike any she has had before. Over 25 years ago, Deanna Swearingen started her career in education as a classroom teacher. As a 4th-grade teacher, she found her home in guiding students on their academic journey, from “learning to read” to “reading to lead.” Even as superintendent, her favorite place was the classroom, where she monitored students' progress. Her focus on literacy was evident this year, as she led the partnership between BUSD and San Bernardino County to improve literacy practices for Barstow students. But her leadership and personality made her a candidate for advancement into educational management. After leaving the classroom, Mrs. Swearingen served as the Chief Business Officer for Baker Valley, Helendale, and Barstow Unified School District at different times. She first joined Barstow Unified in February of 2020. 3 years later, she was selected for the top job in BUSD and has served as Superintendent since February of 2023. In her 6 years as an executive for Barstow Unified, Mrs. Swearingen has overseen the completion of the Wellness Center & Pupil Services office complex, the construction of the community walking track, the expansion of Transitional Kindergarten, the reconfiguration of grade spans, the re-opening of Barstow Intermediate School, the expansion of Barstow STEM Academy, the increase of personnel dedicated to ensuring safety and security of schools, expansion of the office responsible for responding to concerns and complaints, providing ongoing salary increases to classified and certified staff, all while maintaining positive fiscal certifications year-after-year.
Interim Superintendent Succession Plan
As we look toward the future of our district, the Board of Trustees has outlined a clear and structured path for leadership through the 2025-2026 Interim Superintendent Succession Plan. This process ensures that our schools remain stable and focused on student success during this transition period Interim: Temporary role until a permanent replacement is found. Candidate Selection through an Internal Cabinet Search
Interviews (Two Rounds)
Round 1 (March 2-6): Screening Panel interviews candidates. Round 2 (March 9-13): The Board of Trustees will conduct final interviews at a special meeting.
Phase 3: Final Approval
Recommendation for the interim position will be voted on and approved at the March 24, 2026, board meeting. The Board is committed to a transparent process involving various stakeholders.
Board of Trustees President Leonard Williams said. “Her leadership, dedication, and steady guidance have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our schools and, most importantly, on the children we serve.” Her time as a teacher and administrator has always been dedicated to students.
BUSD wishes Mrs. Swearingen all the best in her well-earned retirement, and we thank her for her more than 25 years of dedicated service to Barstow and the field of education.
Public Comment T he board meeting is a business meeting of the board held in a public forum. This is not a town hall meeting with the board. There is time during the meeting to receive public comment from citizens to present problems or questions they feel the board should discuss. Individuals are encouraged to address the full board, not individual Board members. The law prohibits the Board from taking action on items not on the agenda. Request to speak cards should be filled out in advance and presented to the Superintendent's Executive Assistant. Instructions for submitting remote public comment can be found on our website www.busdk12.com under the tab “Board of Trustees.”
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