Pepperdine News and Events

Vodicka Selected as Vista School District Superintendent

Vista Unified trustees announced Wednesday that Pepperdine GSEP alumnus Dr. Devin Vodicka, will be the Vista school district’s top administrator next year.

Vodicka is replacing Superintendent Joyce Bales, 66, who said in July that she would retire at the end of this school year.

The announcement of the new leader was made after a closed session school board meeting at district headquarters.

“We think he’s going to be a great addition to the district,” said board President R. Elizabeth Jaka. “He has a broad range of experience. ... (We think) he’ll bring the things we have missing here into the district.”

There were 28 applicants and six finalists called in for interviews.

“Vodicka's experience helped him stand out above the others,” Jaka said. “The board liked his focus on technology and data.”

"I am enthusiastic about the future for the students, families, staff and community," Vodicka said in a prepared statement.

Vodicka worked at Carlsbad Unified for 13 years, serving as director of curriculum and instruction, elementary and middle school principal and special projects director in addition to his current role.

Over the last several months, Vodicka has helped oversee several important efforts in the Carlsbad district, including rounds of budget cuts, negotiations with its teachers union and plans to close a school and lease space at another campus.

Vodicka has an educational doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University. He teaches quantitative analysis as an adjunct professor and is fluent in Spanish. He has written several articles on educational technology and relational trust.

The board is expected to work out a contract with Vodicka this month.