Interim Schools Chief Appointed

Moorpark’s assistant schools chief has been temporarily appointed to take over the school district’s top administrative post.

Moorpark Unified School District trustees asked Assistant Supt. Frank DePasquale to take the reins when schools chief Tom Duffy leaves for a job as a Sacramento lobbyist March 31.

“He was the obvious choice,” board member David Pollack said after Tuesday’s unanimous vote in closed session. “Frank knows the operation of the district and he indicated to us that he would relish the opportunity to serve as an interim superintendent for the experience.”

DePasquale has held the No. 2 position for the last eight years. He was formerly a principal at Flory and Campus Canyon elementary schools and has been employed by the district for 19 years.

DePasquale was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

The board will get together in the next two weeks to decide on a process for selecting a new superintendent and a replacement for DePasquale, who has said he’s interested in applying for the top job himself.

“We hope to have someone in there by June or July,” Pollack said.

In other action Tuesday, the board unanimously voted to increase fees collected from developers of new residential projects. The building permit fee, originally $1.93 per square foot, was raised to $3.59 per foot after a public hearing.

Before the vote, developers with active projects asked for a delay on the decision in hopes they could reach a compromise with the school district.

“It would ultimately put the burden on the new citizens of Moorpark,” said Lloyd Laycook, a development consultant. “The increase would amount to $4,000 to $6,000 per unit.”

But board members were not swayed.

“I think it’s only fair that the developers pay for half the impact of the kids going to school from their projects,” Pollack said.