Dr. Benjamin Churchill will take over as superintendent of the Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) on July 1 after a rigorous and competitive selection process that attracted candidates from throughout the country, the district’s Board of Trustees announced this week.

Churchill replaces Dr. Suzette Lovely, who is retiring after more than 30 years as a highly acclaimed California educator.

Churchill currently serves as Chief Academic Officer for Community Unit School District 300 in Alonquin, Illinois. He’s passionate about all aspects of teaching and learning and is especially interested in classroom technology integration, early learning and kindergarten readiness, workforce development, and career pathways for all students.

“Carlsbad is an outstanding community with committed parents, excellent teachers and staff, and a tradition of excellence,” said Churchill. “It is my goal to lead Carlsbad from excellent to exceptional and to establish CUSD as a nationally recognized model for innovation and achievement.”

Churchill oversees all aspects of teaching and learning in 27 school sites for nearly 21,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12 in a culturally and economically diverse school community located 40 minutes from Chicago, Illinois. Under his leadership, the district has designed and implemented Career Pathways Programs in 11 areas, expanded dual enrollment with a local community college, and made progress in closing the achievement gap. He previously served as an assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, high school principal, associate principal of curriculum and instruction, and a high school English teacher. He began his 20-year career in education teaching English for six years in China.

Churchill earned his Educational Doctorate from Argosy University, a master’s degree in school leadership from Northeastern Illinois University, another master’s degree in teaching and learning from DePaul University, and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Valparaiso University.

Ben, his wife Nichole, and their two school-age daughters are planning to relocate to Carlsbad this summer.