As Halloween decorations come down and the beautiful colors of fall settle across Sonoma County, I find myself reflecting on gratitude, community, and the important work ahead of us.

For those I have not yet met, my name is Matthew Harris, and I am honored to serve as your Interim Superintendent of Rincon Valley Union School District for the remainder of the 2026-27 school year. During my first few weeks, I have spent time visiting every school, meeting students and staff, and listening to families and community members. What I have found is a District with a strong tradition of excellence, dedicated educators, and families who care deeply about their schools.

I want to take a moment to commend former superintendent Mike Herfurth and thank him for his twenty-six years of service to our students, staff, and community. The strength of Rincon Valley today is built on the foundation he helped create, and I am grateful for the strong system I’m stepping into.

As we navigate this leadership transition together, I want you to know that I am present, and I am committed to putting students first in every decision we make. My focus this year is straightforward: supporting and developing our school leaders, strengthening the long-term financial health of our District, and ensuring clear and consistent communication with our community. These priorities will help us continue providing the outstanding educational experience our students deserve.

There is a quote I often return to from a traditional Maasai greeting in East Africa. Before discussing anything else, they ask each other the question, “And how are the children?” The idea is simple: the well-being of children is the measure of a healthy community. Not just some of the children, but all of the children. 

As your Interim Superintendent, I believe that is the right question for us, too. Whether we are talking about academics, school safety, leadership, facilities, or our budget, our work should always come back to one thing: And how are the children?

Thank you for welcoming me into the Rincon Valley community. I look forward to working with you in the months ahead on behalf of the students we all serve.

In partnership,

Matthew Harris

Interim Superintendent

Rincon Valley Union School District

Austin Creek Elementary embraced the Halloween spirit with its annual Pumpkin Carving Contest on October 28th! Students proudly showcased their creativity, imagination, and school spirit through an impressive variety of carved and decorated pumpkins. Displayed by grade level throughout campus, the festive creations brought color, excitement, and seasonal cheer to the school. The event gave students a fun opportunity to express themselves, celebrate the season, and admire the talents of their classmates, making it a memorable Halloween tradition for all.

Congratulations to Village Elementary School on an outstanding Color Run Fundraiser that exceeded our fundraising goal! Students filled the day with energy, excitement, and plenty of colorful fun as they ran through vibrant clouds of color, cheering on one another and celebrating their school community. The event was a wonderful display of school spirit, teamwork, and generosity. A heartfelt thank you to our families, staff, and volunteers whose support, enthusiasm, and dedication made this memorable event a tremendous success.

Students from the Rincon Valley Partnership (RVP) enjoyed an inspiring and memorable day at the Special Olympics hosted at Montgomery High School! The event was filled with excitement, encouragement, and joy as students proudly showcased their talents, celebrated personal achievements, and supported one another every step of the way. Through friendly competition and shared experiences, students demonstrated remarkable determination, sportsmanship, and perseverance. The day served as a powerful reminder of the value of inclusion, teamwork, and community. We are incredibly proud of our student athletes for their courage and accomplishments, and deeply grateful to the coaches, volunteers, families, and organizers who helped make this special event such a meaningful success.

A huge congratulations to our outstanding Spring Lake Middle School volleyball teams on an incredible season! Throughout the year, our student-athletes demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and exceptional teamwork both on and off the court. A special round of applause goes to our 7th-grade team for finishing the season undefeated and earning the championship pennant, an impressive accomplishment that reflects their hard work and commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of all our players for representing SLMS with sportsmanship, determination, and school pride. Thank you to our coaches, families, and supporters whose encouragement and dedication helped make this season such a success. Way to go, SLMS volleyball!

This November, RVUSD proudly honors the legacy of Ruby Bridges, whose extraordinary courage changed the course of history. 

On November 14, 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first African American student to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, helping pave the way for greater equity and opportunity in schools across the nation.

As we reflect on her inspiring example, we encourage our RVUSD families to participate by walking or rolling to and from school while celebrating the values Ruby's story represents: kindness, inclusion, courage, and community. This special tradition is an opportunity to come together, connect with one another, and recognize the positive impact each of us can make.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our crossing guards, school staff, parent volunteers, and community members who help ensure students travel safely to and from school each day. Your dedication and care make a meaningful difference, and we thank you for helping create safe, welcoming pathways for all students. Together, we honor Ruby's legacy by building a stronger, more inclusive community for everyone.

The Educational Services Department continues to play a vital role in supporting high-quality teaching and learning throughout RVUSD. Through our focus on instructional excellence, data-informed decision-making, and coherent assessment practices, our team is committed to ensuring every student has access to the support and opportunities needed to succeed.

As part of our ongoing commitment to literacy achievement, our Continuous Improvement Specialist has partnered closely with TK-8 teachers to provide model lessons, coaching, and professional learning in evidence-based programs and strategies, including SIPPS, UFLI, Heggerty, Zoo-Phonics, Orton-Gillingham, and Adolescent Literacy. These collaborative efforts strengthen instructional practices and help educators meet the diverse needs of learners across our District.

School teams have also engaged in thoughtful analysis of STAR Reading, i-Ready Math, and mCLASS DIBELS data to identify student strengths, address areas for growth, and design targeted instruction that accelerates learning. 

Instructional Paraeducators and Multilingual Learner Advocates have further enhanced their expertise through ELPAC calibration and ongoing intervention planning sessions, ensuring students receive the support they need to thrive.

A key part of this work is the collaboration taking place among our District Literacy and Multilingual Learner Site Leads, who continue to learn together, share best practices, and build instructional capacity across schools. Their leadership helps foster a culture of continuous improvement and collective responsibility for student success.

At RVUSD, we believe that every student deserves engaging, meaningful learning experiences that nurture both academic growth and a love of learning. It is inspiring to see classrooms across our District filled with curiosity, creativity, and student engagement. Thanks to the dedication of our teachers, support staff, administrators, and families, the school year is off to a strong start, and our students are thriving, growing, and achieving remarkable things every day.

As phishing attacks on schools continue to rise nationwide, RVUSD remains committed to protecting the sensitive information entrusted to us by our students, families, and staff. Nearly one-third of all cyberattacks reported by Sonoma County schools have occurred this year alone, underscoring the importance of taking proactive steps to strengthen our cybersecurity measures.

To help safeguard student and staff records, our District is implementing a new passkey sign-in requirement across all school sites, with full deployment expected by mid-December. As of late October, an impressive 83% of staff members have already made the transition, including all employees with access to financial systems and school wide student data.

Passkeys provide a more secure and user-friendly way to sign in by utilizing built-in device security features. Unlike traditional passwords or text message verification codes, passkeys are highly resistant to phishing attempts, helping prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

We are especially grateful for the collaboration and support of our staff throughout this transition. The majority of employees successfully set up their passkeys independently, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a safe and secure digital environment for our entire school community. Together, we are taking important steps to strengthen cybersecurity and protect the information that matters most.

For many students, the school day begins and ends with a smiling face of one of our exceptional transportation department drivers, and we are grateful for the important role they play in supporting our students and families. 

From providing reliable home-to-school transportation to coordinating special education services and facilitating field trips and school activities, our transportation team works tirelessly to ensure students travel safely and efficiently throughout our District.

Their commitment to student safety, professionalism, and outstanding service helps create a positive start to each school day and gives families peace of mind. Behind every route is a team of skilled drivers, dispatchers, mechanics, and support staff whose hard work often happens behind the scenes but makes a tremendous impact on our schools and community.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the entire Transportation Department for their dedication, teamwork, and unwavering focus on keeping our students safe. Thank you for all that you do to help our students arrive ready to learn, grow, and succeed each day.

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can positively impact the lives of students and families? 

RVUSD is currently seeking passionate, dedicated individuals to join our team and help support the success of our schools and students.

We have a variety of exciting opportunities available across the District, including an Office Manager at Madrone Elementary, Office Clerk and Multilingual Learner Advocate positions at Manzanita Elementary, Noon Duty staff, Classified Substitutes, a 7th/8th Grade History Teacher (.66 FTE), a School Nurse, and a Long-Term ESN Teacher.

At RVUSD, every role contributes to creating a welcoming, supportive, and engaging learning environment where students can thrive. Whether you work directly with students, support school operations, or help provide essential services, you become an important part of a team dedicated to educational excellence and student success.

As we like to say, "The strength of our schools comes from the people who serve them." We invite talented and caring individuals to explore these opportunities and consider joining our RVUSD family. We look forward to welcoming new team members who share our commitment to making a difference in the lives of students every day.