Lafayette School Board Announces New Superintendent

The Lafayette School District governing board members said there was no need to look outside the district for a new superintendent.

So, on Tuesday morning, the board unanimously approved the hiring of Assistant Superintendent Rachel Zinn to be the district's new superintendent.

Zinn, who has worked in the Lafayette district for seven years, is replacing Fred Brill, who will be taking over as superintendent of the San Lorenzo Unified School District on Oct. 7.

The announcement appeared to be the worst kept secret in Lafayette. When the board convened its meeting at 9:30 a.m., the room was filled with district employees and parents who gave Zinn a standing ovation when her hiring was approved.

Zinn has a two-year contract that pays her $180,000 a year.

School board president Art Kapoor said the district did not consider any other candidates.

"There was no need to. Rachel was the natural choice," he told Patch.

Kapoor said Zinn's work as the head of the district's curriculum and instruction puts her in a good position to acclimate Lafayette schools to the new Common Core Standards. He added they won't lose any transition time because Zinn is familiar with everything in the district.

"We are thrilled," Kapoor told the audience. "It would have been hard to find anyone outside the district who has her skills."

Zinn praised the community and the district's employees.

"I'm incredibly proud to be part of this community and district. I feel incredibly honored" said Zinn. "I feel we are on the cutting edge of so many things."

Zinn got emotional when she thanked her husband, who was in the crowd. She said he supports her and listens to her.

"I'm the kind of person where it's hard for me to leave work and just shut the door," she said.

She also thanked Brill for his work in making Lafayette a strong district.

"Your leadership has been a model for me," Zinn said.

Brill praised Zinn and the district's hiring of her.

"I can't think of a better person to take this district to the next level," said Brill.

Zinn has worked in education for 31 years. She spent 22 years in the Antioch Unified School District.

She said the Common Core Standards, district curriculum and the parcel tax planned for the ballot next May will be her top priorities.