Los Gatos Union School District Has New Supe

Longtime educator Diana Abbati has been appointed as new superintendent of the .

The announcement was made publicly on the district's website in a letter written by Doug Halbert, president of the district's Board of Trustees.

Abbati will officially preside over the 3,000-plus student district on July 6. She comes from the Woodside Elementary School District, where she serves as superintendent/principal.

Prior to being selected as superintendent, Abbati was principal, special education director, administrator (holds a California Administrative Credential), union president and elementary and middle school classroom teacher, said the letter written by Halbert.

Abbati has also served in multiple accounting and finance roles for companies throughout the Bay Area, Halbert said.

She's also a candidate for a doctoral degree at the University of California, Berkeley.

"Ms. Abbati is an inspired educator and leader who has dedicated her career to student learning and has developed the strategies, policies and organizational structures that support a professional learning community and continuous improvement," Halbert said.

"Her broad range of business, administrative and educational experiences, combined with her strong passion for excellence in education, provide her with the vision and skills required to lead the ongoing development and implementation of our district’s strategic plan."

Cindy Simms, who had served as interim superintendent, will continue in her role until June 30.

Abbati was at the trustees' meeting Tuesday evening when Halbert made the announcement, Simms said, and during a 15-minute break, audience members had a chance to meet her.