Kenneth Hurst Sr.
VALLEY CENTER,California
Summary
Strategic education executive and United States Marine Corps veteran with extensive leadership across school districts, nonprofit institutions, and higher education. Led organizations with budgets exceeding $530 million, specializing in board governance, financial stewardship, and community partnerships. Proven track record in facilities planning and college preparation, driving measurable improvements in student outcomes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
45
45
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director
Stein Education Center
12.2025 - Current
- Led school operations, curriculum, and programs while supervising over 100 teachers, aides, and support staff to enhance educational delivery.
- Prepared and oversaw budgets and reviewed monthly financials to uphold legal, ethical, and professional standards within the organization.
- Adjusted programs to meet student needs while fostering relationships with schools and community providers to support student success.
Lecturer
University of San Diego
01.2025 - Current
- Taught graduate courses in organizational change, human capital, negotiation, and leadership, enhancing student understanding of complex organizational dynamics.
- Received Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Outstanding Faculty awards for exemplary teaching and dedication to student success.
- Delivered undergraduate and graduate lectures aligned with curriculum objectives and learning outcomes.
- Designed syllabi, assignments, and assessments to support course rigor and student engagement.
- Advised students on academic progress, degree requirements, and course selection.
Superintendent of Schools
West Contra Costa Unified School District
05.2021 - 12.2024
- Partnered with the Board of Trustees to establish a five-year strategic plan, shared mission and core values, and a graduate profile.
- Aligned board priorities in literacy, student wellness, facilities, human resources, fiscal solvency, and community engagement to enhance overall educational outcomes.
- Established a Literacy Task Force, regular reading and mathematics assessments, and instructional leadership training; advanced restorative practices and student wellness supports.
- Established budget committee with labor and community partners to identify savings addressing $28 million structural deficit; negotiated competitive compensation agreements to ensure financial stability.
- Created a Systems Change Collaborative with mayors and city managers from five cities and education partners to support student success and well-being.
- Built community trust through town halls, listening sessions, board updates, videos, and family communication; led equity audit and presented findings to foster transparency and accountability.
- Revised the Board Governance Handbook and governance calendar; organized board development on roles, procedures, and relational trust.
- 26,000 students | 3,200 employees | 56 schools | $530 million annual budget
Superintendent of Schools
Othello School District
07.2016 - 05.2021
- Increased fund balance 45% over three years while maintaining reserves above board's 10% requirement.
- Tripled preschool enrollment and increased kindergarten readiness from 30% to more than 98%; collaborated to secure outside funding for early learning.
- Led passage of a Maintenance & Operations Levy for facilities modernization; convened a committee to develop a Facilities Master Plan.
- Tripled preschool enrollment and raised kindergarten readiness from 30% to over 98% by securing outside funding for early learning.
- Reduced absences 33% over three years by establishing district scorecard and continuous improvement cycle to monitor progress toward board goals.
- Convened board members, business leaders, the mayor, police chief, parents, and labor representatives to improve student learning; negotiated competitive compensation agreements.
- Led online and hybrid learning during COVID-19; expanded access through Chromebooks, hotspots, and Wi-Fi-equipped buses.
- Increased fund balance by 45% over three years while maintaining reserves above the board's 10% requirement.
- 4,500 students | 600 employees | 7 schools | $71 million annual budget
Associate Superintendent, Educational Services
Oceanside Unified School District
07.2014 - 06.2016
- Supervised implementation of the Oceanside Promise and its 501 C(3) foundation to advance college and career readiness; developed industry pathways with ConnectEd California.
- Collaborated on agreements to waive community college fees and guarantee CSU San Marcos admission for eligible students, expanding higher education opportunities for underserved populations.
- 21,000 students | 2,000 employees | 23 schools | $214 million annual budget
Principal, Oceanside High School
Oceanside Unified School District
06.2011 - 06.2014
Principal, Jefferson Middle School
Oceanside Unified School District
06.2010 - 06.2011
Assistant Principal, El Camino High School
Oceanside Unified School District
10.2008 - 06.2010
- Led turnaround efforts at Jefferson Middle and Oceanside High schools; increased Oceanside High's Academic Performance Index from 743 to 770 in the first year and exit exam pass rates from 83% to 89%.
- Managed school budgets, led administrator learning, built partnerships with Oceanside and military communities, and supported district efforts to prevent bullying, substance abuse, and gang involvement.
- Led student discipline processes, applying restorative practices and consistent behavioral expectations across campus.
- Coordinated attendance interventions, supporting families and staff to improve student engagement and reduce chronic absences.
- Supervised instructional programs, providing feedback to teachers and aligning classroom practices with schoolwide goals.
Principal, Community Health and Medical Practices
San Diego Unified School District
07.2004 - 07.2008
- Led new college preparatory school integrating health and medical themes; established industry advisory board and implemented AVID for all students to enhance educational pathways.
- Increased Academic Performance Index from 555 to 700 over four years and improved exit exam pass rates from 37% to 70%; eliminated three-year suspension average of 13.39% to achieve zero suspensions and expulsions.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Assistant Principal; Teacher and Attendance Administrator
Poway Unified School District
08.1998 - 06.2004
- Coordinated planning and opening of Westview High School for over 2,400 students; taught mathematics, AVID, computer programming, and AP Computer Science.
- Led student discipline processes, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and restorative interventions.
- Coordinated campus safety procedures, crisis response planning, and emergency drill compliance.
- Supervised staff assignments, classroom observations, and instructional support practices.
United States Marine
United States Marine Corps
04.1982 - 12.1993
- Maintenance Supervisor | 1991–1993
- Combat Duty, Operation Desert Storm | 1990–1991
- Communications Instructor and Supervisor | 1988–1990
- Drill Instructor | 1986–1988
- Communications Specialist | 1982–1986
Education
Ed.D. - K-12 Leadership
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA01-2011
M.A. - Educational Administration
California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA01-2008
B.S. - Mathematics
California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA01-1997
Associate of Arts - undefined
National University
San Diego01-1990
Skills
- Team leadership
- Cultural change
- Operational efficiency
- Ethical standards
- Workforce engagement
- Collaborative leadership
- Organizational leadership
- Strategic development
- Leadership development
- Organizational management
- Contract negotiation
- Integrity and ethics
Accomplishments
- Adjunct Faculty of the Year | University of San Diego
- Outstanding Faculty Award | University of San Diego
- Outstanding Leadership Award | City of Richmond
- Leadership Award | National University
- Outstanding Teacher Award | Poway Unified School District
- Motivational Presence Award | Poway Unified School District
- Outstanding Educator Award | Poway Unified School District
- Administrator of the Year | San Diego Unified School District
- Administrator of the Year | Oceanside Unified School District
- Recognized as one of Oceanside's Finest | O'SIDERS Magazine, Issue 1, Volume 1
- Outstanding Leadership Award (USMC Sword) | United States Marine Corps, Okinawa, Japan
- Challenge coin recipient from a USMC general and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
- Navy Achievement Medal | United States Marine Corps
- Good Conduct Medal | United States Marine Corps
- Desert Shield/Storm Service Medal | United States Marine Corps
- Meritorious Unit Citation | United States Marine Corps
- Letters of Commendation | United States Marine Corps
- Expert Rifleman | United States Marine Corps
- Selected to represent the Marine Corps in New York and Washington, D.C., ticker-tape parades after Desert Storm
- Honorable Discharge | United States Marine Corps
- Outstanding Drill Instructor Awards | United States Marine Corps
- Physical Fitness Achievement Awards | United States Marine Corps
Affiliations
California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators; Washington Association of School Administrators; Association of California School Administrators; Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; Association of African-American Educators.
Certification
- Superintendent's Academy – California & Washington State
- Adult Wellness Training – Educator's Thriving – Dr. Tyler Hester, Richmond, CA
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Training – Ann Corwin, Washington
- Visible Learning Institute – John Hattie, Seattle, Washington
- Project-Based Learning – Buck Institute for Education & ConnectEd California
- Design Thinking Training – Bobby Hughes, Director of Engagement at Aardvark Design Labs
- Makerspace – Thinkabit Lab Training, Qualcomm®, San Diego, CA
- Instructional Rounds Training – San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)
- Alternatives to Expulsions and Suspensions – Orlando, Florida
- Small & Professional Learning Communities – SDUSD
Timeline
Senior Director
Stein Education Center
12.2025 - Current
Lecturer
University of San Diego
01.2025 - Current
Superintendent of Schools
West Contra Costa Unified School District
05.2021 - 12.2024
Superintendent of Schools
Othello School District
07.2016 - 05.2021
Associate Superintendent, Educational Services
Oceanside Unified School District
07.2014 - 06.2016
Principal, Oceanside High School
Oceanside Unified School District
06.2011 - 06.2014
Principal, Jefferson Middle School
Oceanside Unified School District
06.2010 - 06.2011
Assistant Principal, El Camino High School
Oceanside Unified School District
10.2008 - 06.2010
Principal, Community Health and Medical Practices
San Diego Unified School District
07.2004 - 07.2008
Assistant Principal; Teacher and Attendance Administrator
Poway Unified School District
08.1998 - 06.2004
United States Marine
United States Marine Corps
04.1982 - 12.1993
Associate of Arts - undefined
National University
Ed.D. - K-12 Leadership
University of Southern California
M.A. - Educational Administration
California State University San Marcos
B.S. - Mathematics
California State University San Marcos
Personal Information
Title: Executive Leadership
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Education and Community, Adjunct Faculty of the Year | University of San Diego, Outstanding Faculty Award | University of San Diego, Outstanding Leadership Award | City of Richmond, Leadership Award | National University, Outstanding Teacher Award | Poway Unified School District, Motivational Presence Award | Poway Unified School District, Outstanding Educator Award | Poway Unified School District, Administrator of the Year | San Diego Unified School District, Administrator of the Year | Oceanside Unified School District, Recognized as one of Oceanside's Finest | O'SIDERS Magazine, Issue 1, Volume 1, United States Marine Corps, Outstanding Leadership Award (USMC Sword) | United States Marine Corps, Okinawa, Japan, Challenge coin recipient from a USMC general and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Navy Achievement Medal | United States Marine Corps, Good Conduct Medal | United States Marine Corps, Desert Shield/Storm Service Medal | United States Marine Corps, Meritorious Unit Citation | United States Marine Corps, Letters of Commendation | United States Marine Corps, Expert Rifleman | United States Marine Corps, Selected to represent the Marine Corps in New York and Washington, D.C., ticker-tape parades after Desert Storm, Honorable Discharge | United States Marine Corps, Outstanding Drill Instructor Awards | United States Marine Corps, Physical Fitness Achievement Awards | United States Marine Corps
COMMUNITY AND BOARD LEADERSHIP
- School Employers Association of California, Board member
- Richmond Promise, Board member
- Othello Chamber of Commerce, Board member
- East Village Middle College High School, Advisory board, San Diego
- Rotary clubs of Richmond and Othello, Civic service
- Rotary Club of Oceanside, Civic service, 2012, 2016
- Lions Club of Othello, Civic service
- NAACP, lifetime member
- Faith institution, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, 2009, 2012, Faith and education service
- Faith institution, spiritual retreat coordinator, 2004, 2005, Faith and education service
- Faith institution, deacon, 1988, Present, Faith and education service
- Mathematics tutor, Youth and community service, 1998, 2016
- Sunday school teacher and choir member, Youth and community service, 1986, 2016
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
Selected training: California and Washington Superintendent's Academies; instructional rounds; social emotional learning; adult wellness; educational equity and implicit bias; Visible Learning; project-based learning; design thinking; Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab makerspace training.
MILITARY SERVICE
- United States Marine Corps
- Camp Pendleton and San Diego, California; Saudi Arabia | 19821993
- Maintenance Supervisor | 19911993
- Combat Duty, Operation Desert Storm | 19901991
- Communications Instructor and Supervisor | 19881990
- Drill Instructor | 19861988
- Communications Specialist | 19821986
- Honorably discharged following service as a drill instructor, communications instructor and supervisor, and maintenance supervisor, including combat duty in Operation Desert Storm.