Superintendent Search
Announcement of Superintendent Selection
Dr. Robert Hernandez to Lead Saugus Union School District as the Next Superintendent
The Governing Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Robert Hernandez as the next superintendent of the Saugus Union School District. At its April 21 meeting, the board approved his selection. Dr. Hernandez will officially begin his tenure on July 1.
Dr. Hernandez brings more than two decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and district administrator. He most recently served in the San Antonio (TX) Independent School District as Network Instructional Assistant Superintendent. Prior to his work in Texas, he held several key leadership roles in the Pasadena Unified School District, including Director of Planning, Innovation & Accountability and Principal of Pasadena High School. His career began in Houston, where he taught bilingual 5th and 6th grade and served as an ESL Specialist at both the elementary and middle school levels. He later served as a middle school and high school principal in Sheldon ISD (TX), where he guided the first graduating class of the Sheldon Early College High School.
Board President Matt Watson, who led the superintendent search process, welcomed Dr. Hernandez on behalf of the board. “As a board, we are committed to high standards for our students’ education, and we believe Dr. Hernandez’s expertise, experience, and track record of successful leadership make him well-suited as our next leader. Our community spoke clearly about the importance of a dynamic, visionary administrator who is deeply connected to the families, staff, and students we serve. We believe we have found that in Dr. Hernandez. We are confident that, under his leadership, our district will continue to foster positive, supportive school environments where expectations are clear, and every student can thrive. The board is eager to collaborate with him to move the District forward.”
Dr. Hernandez shared his enthusiasm for joining the Saugus USD community. “I am honored and humbled to serve as the next superintendent for the Saugus Union School District. I am eager to contribute to the vision and aspirations of Saugus USD, a district known for its student success, exceptional programs, and strong sense of community. I look forward to partnering with the Governing Board, staff, families, and community to strengthen the foundational skills that empower our students and help them build agency as they prepare for secondary school and beyond.”
The board conducted a comprehensive search guided by community input and considered several highly qualified candidates. Dr. Hernandez emerged as the top choice for his deep experience across classroom, site, and district leadership roles, as well as his commitment to ensuring students receive a high-quality education that prepares them to thrive in a competitive global environment.
Dr. Hernandez holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Administration & Policy from Pepperdine University, a Master of Science in Educational Management from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas A&M University–College Station. He also holds a California Clear Administrative Services Credential and is fluent in Spanish.
Dr. Hernandez and his wife of 16 years are the parents of a daughter who will begin high school in the fall. His wife is a pediatric registered dietitian and diabetes educator, and his father served 26 years with the Houston Police Department. The family is excited to relocate to the Santa Clarita Valley and looks forward to becoming active members of the community.
The board extends its sincere appreciation to all applicants who expressed interest in the superintendent position. The board also wishes to express deep gratitude to Dr. Colleen Hawkins, who is retiring after leading Saugus USD with dedication and care for the past eight years.
Media Contact:
Board President Matt Watson
