New superintendent selected for Lake Tahoe Unified School District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a new school superintendent headed to South Lake Tahoe, but who that is won't be revealed to the public quite yet.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) trustees announced they are in negotiations with the chosen individual but it may be two weeks until the name is released. That person will also have to notify their current employer.

"The community will be very happy with who we selected," Board President Larry Reilly announced during Tuesday's board meeting.

Reilly and the other board members thanked the volunteers who participated in the community panel that assisted with interviews of the candidates.

"They gave the board valuable information," added Reilly.

Two local principals were among the few dozen that applied for the job but did not make it to the final group of candidates that were granted an interview by the board and panel, something that one teacher spoke up about at the board meeting.

South Tahoe High School teacher Melissa Berry spoke during the public comment period, saying not interviewing a local person shows "those who live here are not worthy." She said it gives the wrong message and shows the public the board thinks local talent is "not as good as that from the outside."

Dr. James Tarwater, the current superintendent, is retiring this June.

This story has been updated.