PARAMOUNT, CA - August 23, 2023 - After conducting a nationwide search and a lengthy process of gathering input from employees of the district and members of the community which included the review of 29 applicants recruited by Leadership Associates, the Paramount Unified School District Board is honored and excited to announce the unanimous decision to appoint Dr. Joshua Lightle as the lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The Paramount Board of Education is expected to approve an offer of employment and contract at its regularly scheduled Board meeting on August 29, 2023. The applicants included many superintendents, deputy and associate superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors, coordinators, principals.
With over 24 years of dedicated service in education, Dr. Lightle brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and leadership to the role. This dynamic educator initiated his impressive career in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia as a teacher and continued his teaching career in the Fontana Unified School District. He began his administrative career in the Riverside Unified School District, serving as an Assistant Principal, Principal and Associate Superintendent/Deputy Chief of Schools in the Fontana Unified School District.
Following those experiences, he became the Superintendent of the Eastside Unified School District, where he has served successfully for 5 ½ years. Among his accomplishments in Eastside, Dr. Lightle has developed a districtwide strategic plan that embodied a long-term instructional vision, culture and climate vision, and blueprint for equity. He also developed a comprehensive governance framework with ongoing training and study sessions that support Trustees in setting clear direction and coherence across the district. His work in instructional leadership significantly increased achievement indicators on the California Dashboard in both English Language Arts and Mathematics while creating during and after school Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) programs at all school sites, including an elementary music program that supports the middle school band and choir.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at West Liberty College of Letters and the Humanities in West Virginia, his Master of Arts degree in educational administration from the University of Redlands and his Doctorate in Leadership for Educational Justice, also from the University of Redlands.
Diane Martinez, President of the Paramount Unified School District Board said, "I look forward to working with Dr. Lightle. He is clearly the leader that we wanted to take the District to the next level. His personal and professional attributes absolutely matched what we were looking for. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Lightle successfully served as the Superintendent in a District much like Paramount, Eastside, and formerly served in Fontana as Associate Superintendent. The needs of those Districts, and the solutions to meet barriers within them will help us accelerate student achievement and increase community participation in an excellent manner”. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Joshua Lightle as he steps into his new role as Superintendent. His leadership and commitment to our students, staff, and community will undoubtedly continue the Paramount Unified School District's mission of providing a world-class education to all students.”
Joshua Lightle stated: "I am deeply excited to be the finalist for the role of Superintendent of the Paramount Unified School District. I am a strong supporter of high-quality teaching and am proud to join the high-quality Paramount staff. In this new role, my focus remains on providing every student with a high-quality education that prepares them for a successful future. This means acceleration of achievement for all students, regardless of demographics. I am eager to collaborate with our dedicated staff, parents, and the broader community as we work together to create strong, dynamic, and adaptable systems and approaches that ensure both academic and social-emotional success for every student. This responsibility is one I hold close to my heart, and I look forward to leading with integrity, empathy, kindness, and a steadfast commitment to the students of our school community."