Interim Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent Tony Signoret will make history when he permanently fills role in January

The Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) Board of Education on Tuesday named Interim Superintendent Dr. Tonatiuh ‘Tony’ Signoret to serve as the district’s permanent superintendent of schools starting Jan. 1, 2024. Signoret will make history as the first Hispanic superintendent in district history.

Signoret, who will be paid $290,000 per year, brings more than 33 years of experience in education, including his recent role as interim superintendent, to the job.

“Throughout his tenure in the district, including the past six months as our interim superintendent of schools, Dr. Signoret has consistently exhibited strong leadership, commitment, dedication, and devotion to PSUSD,” said Board of Education President John Gerardi.

“With his wisdom, talent, integrity, and compassion, the Board is highly confident that we have the right individual at the helm to guide our District forward in the best interest of our nearly 20,000 students.”

Signoret, who has a bachelor’s degree from Whittier College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Chapman University, and a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne, has dedicated the majority of his career to PSUSD. He has held various positions within the district, including bilingual teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of certificated human resources.

Signoret, who is bilingual in Spanish, expressed his pride and humility in being selected as the superintendent of schools and his eagerness to continue the district’s work in collaboration with the dedicated team of administrators, teachers, and support staff.

“I am proud and humbled to be selected to serve as PSUSD’s superintendent of schools,” said Signoret. “I am anxious to continue the amazing work we are doing and look forward to moving forward and making even more strides in collaboration with our dedicated team of administrators, teachers, and support staff led by a Board of Education extremely committed to doing what’s best for students.

“I look forward to our continued focus on academic success and becoming an anti-racist organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

After an extensive search process that involved community surveys, public meetings, and nationwide advertising, Signoret emerged as the top candidate out of 22 applicants. When he assumes the role, he will be the first Hispanic superintendent of schools in PSUSD history.

“The extensive search process only confirmed the Board’s belief that Dr. Signoret is the right leader to guide the district through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” said Gerardi. “We are extremely confident about the positive impact he will continue to have on the educational journey of all of our students.”

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