by Mark McDermott
John Bowes, an education leader known for creative curriculum and financial expertise, has been named superintendent of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.
Bowes, who is expected to be officially approved by the school board at its July 7 meeting, has served as superintendent of the Davis Joint Unified School District since 2016. Bowes also has South Bay ties, previously serving as an assistant superintendent at the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. Bowes will take over from Mike Matthews, who has served as MBUSD superintendent since 2010.
School Board president Jennifer Fenton said the hiring of Bowes comes at a critical time. The district lost a significant percentage of its students during the pandemic and came under fire from parents who were dissatisfied by the pace of the return to in-person instruction.