Dr. Ben Drati named new SMMUSD superintendent

On Nov. 3, SMMUSD Board of Education appointed Dr. Ben Drati as the new superintendent of the district during a regular meeting. Dr. Drati comes to SMMUSD from the Santa Barbara Unified School District where he has served as the assistant Superintendent of secondary education since 2012.Prior to working in this position, Dr. Drati began his teaching career as a chemistry teacher and football coach at Central High School in Fresno, California from 1997 to 2000. He served as an assistant principal at Riverdale High School in Riverdale, California from 2000 to 2002, was the learning director at Clovis West High School in Clovis, California from 2002 to 2005 and in 2005, he served as the deputy principal. Soon after, though, he was appointed as the principal of the school.“I can’t wait to get started,” Drati said. “My first task is to go out and meet people at our schools and in the community. I am committed to keeping the interest of children as my priority. I will work collaboratively with the board, teachers, classified staff and parents.”Drati is known for being a strong, confident and collaborative leader. He has been described as a person with great integrity as well as a genuine and warm person. While Drati was appointed, SMMUSD did lose previous Superintendent Sandra Lyon in July to an alternative superintendent position at Palms Spring Unified School District.“We are thrilled with Drati’s appointment and look forward to working with him,” board president Laurie Lieberman said. “We are confident that his leadership skills, passion and energy will guide our students, parents, staff and community toward a successful future. I would like to congratulate him on his new position and welcome him to SMMUSD on behalf of the board.”