ESCONDIDO — The Escondido Union School District board plans to promote an internal candidate to succeed Superintendent Luis Rankins-Ibarra when he retires at the end of the coming school year.
Board members said they intend to name Andy McGuire, the district’s assistant superintendent of business services, as the next superintendent, pending approval of his contract on July 24. If the contract is ratified, McGuire would take office on July 1, 2026.
Over the next year, McGuire will work alongside Rankins-Ibarra in a transition that includes meetings with staff, parents, students and local leaders, as well as a “listening tour” to gather input from stakeholders.
“I am eternally grateful to the board and the entire community of Escondido for a decade of trust and support,” Rankins-Ibarra said. “I fully support the board’s choice in the selection of Andy McGuire and remain committed to ensuring that we have a smooth transition of leadership.”
Rankins-Ibarra, who has led the district for more than 10 years, oversaw a $182.1 million bond program, guided the district through the COVID-19 pandemic and launched the “Framework for the Future,” aimed at modernizing instruction and creating a more personalized learning environment.
McGuire, who has 17 years of K-12 experience and has served in his current role for four years, is credited with maintaining the district’s financial health, aligning business operations with classroom goals, and emphasizing safety and transparent communication.
“The board has been fortunate to work closely with Andy McGuire throughout his four years with the district,” Board President Doug Paulson said. “Andy has exemplified the core competencies of a superintendent: visionary leadership, operational excellence, collaborative culture-building, and alignment of systems to support student success.”
McGuire holds a bachelor’s degree from the California Maritime Academy and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He earned the Chief Business Official certification through the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team’s mentorship program and received the California Association of School Business Officials’ Smart Business Award in 2018.
“It is an incredible honor to serve the Escondido community as the next superintendent of EUSD,” McGuire said. “Over the past four years, I have developed great relationships with our incredible EUSD staff, parents, students and community. I look forward to continuing working with all to enhance the teacher-student experience and to support the community we serve.”
Beyond his professional career, McGuire is also a husband, son and grandson of teachers, as well as a father of three school-aged children.
Some residents have criticized the board on social media, alleging a lack of transparency in the selection process and questioning McGuire’s credentials and lack of classroom experience.
The June 24 board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at district headquarters, located at 2310 Aldergrove Avenue.
The Escondido Union School District serves more than 14,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grade at 23 schools, including five middle schools and 17 elementary campuses. Its boundaries cover most of Escondido and parts of Harmony Grove, Elfin Forest and Hidden Meadows.
CORRECTION: A previous version incorrectly stated the date of an upcoming board meeting. The correct date is June 24.
