John Bowes Is Named New Manhattan Beach Schools Superintendent

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Dr. John Bowes has been named superintendent of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.

Bowes is expected to be officially approved by the school board at its July 7 meeting.

“Based on Dr. Bowes’ unrivaled track record, it was abundantly clear to the Board that he is the perfect person to lead MBUSD into the future,” Board President Jen Fenton said in a statement. “His reputation as both a problem solver and collaborator, as well as his ties to the South Bay, assures that our district will remain at the forefront of excellence. I have no doubt that Dr. Bowes will be embraced by our students, our employees, our parents, and the greater Manhattan Beach community.”

Bowes earned his Ed.D. from UCLA and his B.S. degrees in finance and management from Virginia Tech. His career in education spans more than three decades as a teacher, principal, director, and assistant superintendent.

Since 2016, he has served as superintendent in the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) and under his leadership in Davis, an array of strategic initiatives have been developed, including: outstanding career academies; an award-winning special education inclusion model; renowned theater arts and music programs; an in-house teacher credentialing program; and the passage of two parcel taxes in addition to a bond that supports high quality teaching and learning facilities across the district.

In 2019, Dr. Bowes was named one of the Top 300 Civic Leaders in the Sacramento Region for his influential leadership and future-focused work in education.

Prior to leading the Davis team, Dr. Bowes served as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources in neighboring Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. He also spent seven years as director of labor relations in the Los Angeles Unified School District and five years as a principal in the San Fernando Valley.

“As we prepare for the opportunities and post-COVID hurdles our district will be facing, the journey is bright with Dr. Bowes at the helm,” Fenton said,

Dr. Mike Matthews will continue to serve as Manhattan Beach’s Interim Superintendent until Dr. Bowes’ first day in the office, August 9, 2021. In the ensuing weeks, Dr. Matthews will work closely with Dr. Bowes to ensure a seamless transition for all involved.

“I am excited to serve this exceptional community and destination school district," Bowes said in a statement. "I look forward to partnering with the board, staff, students, and families as we develop our vision and roadmap for an extraordinary future together.”