The Folsom Cordova Unified School District has announced the hiring of Erik Swanson as its next Superintendent.
At the beginning of its Board Meeting Thursday, May 2, the Board approved a 3-year contract with Mr. Swanson, who will take office on July 1, 2024. The current Superintendent Dr. Sarah Koligian announced her retirement earlier this year and will continue in her role until June 30, 2024.
“I am honored to work with our Board of Trustees in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District,” Mr. Swanson states. “I am excited to join a team that envisions empowering all students to thrive through educational excellence. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on fostering school experiences in which every student feels seen, safe, connected, and included. The commitment to excellence in academic and social emotional programs, as outlined in FCUSD’s mission statement, aligns with my commitment to support the conditions in which each student can reach their full potential.”
The Board of Education collaborated with education search firm McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., to seek the next Superintendent, which involved extensive community outreach to collect input from parents, employees, community members, and other vital stakeholder groups regarding their preferences for the incoming Superintendent. Considering community feedback as documented in the Stakeholder Input Report (attached) the Board reviewed 36 internal and external candidates and narrowed them down to a shortlist of 10 candidates through a rigorous screening process and a series of interviews conducted on April 20 and 21. The Board unanimously selected Erik Swanson as the finalist and the best fit for our District.
Board President Tim Hooey states, “The Board of Education is thrilled to welcome Erik Swanson as the next Superintendent of FCUSD. During the search process, the Board agreed on five criteria we were looking for in a new Superintendent: an effective leader, an operational manager, a visionary and innovative leader, an educational equity leader, and a communicator and collaborator. Mr. Swanson has demonstrated himself to be an exemplar in all five categories throughout his career. We believe Mr. Swanson will work to create the best environment for all students and staff in FCUSD to thrive.”
Erik Swanson currently serves as a Senior Advisor for the Teaching, Learning, and Leading Center at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE). His work is focused on leading direct technical assistance to districts across the state. In this role, Swanson is focused on supporting Superintendents and Education Services teams throughout California to improve equitable learning outcomes for all students. While at CCEE, Mr. Swanson has become a Compassionate Systems Master Practitioner from MIT and works with the experts at the Carnegie Foundation for the advancement of teaching, using improvement science in education.
Before joining CCEE, Mr. Swanson served as the Assistant Superintendent of Education Services in the Stockton Unified School District. In addition, Mr. Swanson has served in the roles of Superintendent for St. Hope Public Schools, Principal for Monterey Trail High School in the Elk Grove Unified School District, and Principal for middle schools in Sacramento City Unified School District and Twin Rivers Unified School District. Other accomplishments include completing certification in the National Superintendents Academy in 2018 and as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 Administrative Credentialing Coach for the Sacramento County Office of Education.
“I applaud the Folsom Cordova USD Board of Education for their selection of Erik Swanson as their next Superintendent” states Dave Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools. “I know Erik, and I know well how his leadership in our County over the past two decades has benefited students. He is a tireless, compassionate, and imaginative leader who supports his staff and focuses on excellence for every learner. He is a great match for a district dedicated to providing a world-class education for every student.”
Mr. Swanson earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of California, Davis, his Master of Arts in Educational Counseling from the University of San Francisco and has completed all coursework for the Leadership for Educational Equity Program from the University of California, Berkeley.
Mr. Swanson is a Sacramento native and a third-generation alumnus of Sacramento High School. Erik and his wife Frances, a third-grade teacher in the Twin Rivers Unified School District, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year and they have two teenage daughters.
The District will host two meet-and-greet events for the community to meet Mr. Swanson. All are welcome to attend.
Wednesday, May 8 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mills Middle School, 10439 Coloma Road, Rancho Cordova
Friday, May 10 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Vista del Lago High School, 1970 Broadstone Parkway, Folsom
