Central schools trustee wants ‘unwavering’ focus on inclusion from new leader
Central Unified board trustees expect the district’s incoming leader to bring stability and usher a culture of inclusion for the west Fresno school system after the mid-year departure of former superintendent Ketti Davis.
Mark E. Marshall of the Los Banos Unified School District will officially step into the superintendent role on July 1 after the school board approved his contract Tuesday. He will earn a $270,000 annual salary over his three-year term.
During the superintendent search, board president Naindeep Singh said trustees considered input gathered through community listening sessions. Singh said the board’s approach to the search prioritized student-focused leadership, the use of data-driven practices, fiscal responsibility and “an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion.”
Singh also noted the board will be working alongside Marshall to “set a high bar for his first 100 days and beyond.”
“Our shared goal will be to build ambitious momentum around student-centered approaches that lead to bold achievement gains, deepen community trust, and align district goals from the very start,” Singh said. “We expect his initial work will include a robust listening and learning tour, aligning operations with a clear strategic vision anchored in priority areas, and assessing the district’s strengths, capacities, and opportunities for continuous improvement.”
Singh added that the board expects to see a leadership approach that recognizes the importance data, equity and transparency in order to help students excel.
During an earlier interview, Marshall said he’s looking forward to stepping into the role.
“I’m very excited because I’m looking forward to coming to the Central Unified School District and being a catalyst for moving forward for students,” Marshall said. “It’s all about students. You put students first, everything else falls in place.”
This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 10:22 AM.
