Santa Rosa City Schools taps Oakland Unified administrator as superintendent | EdSource
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Santa Rosa City Schools has named Monica Thomas, an Oakland Unified School District administrator, as its new superintendent, the Press Democrat reported.
Thomas will replace Lisa August Hulme, who served as interim superintendent in 2025 after the previous superintendent was ousted.
Since 2005, Thomas has worked for Oakland Unified and has served in several administrative roles, including as a school principal and the district’s deputy chief of continuous improvement, which manages student outcomes, according to the Press Democrat. She also holds a doctorate in education from UC Berkeley.
“I am honored to serve the Santa Rosa City Schools community,” Thomas said in a statement, according to the Press Democrat. “My leadership is rooted in the belief that when we cultivate strong partnerships between educators, families and administrators, we create the conditions for every student to thrive. I look forward to listening, learning and working alongside all of you to build upon the district’s successes.”
Thomas will begin in her role in July.
Santa Rosa City Schools board President Nick Caston has applauded Thomas’s track record of improving outcomes following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Dr. Thomas has dedicated over 25 years to education, serving first in the classroom and as a school principal before advancing to district leadership,” Caston said in a statement, according to the Press Democrat. “As a seasoned systems leader, she has established herself as a trusted mentor and supervisor, specializing in instructional leadership and operational efficiency.”
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News Brief
Friday, June 5, 2026 — 9:51 am
June 5, 2026
Santa Rosa City Schools has named Monica Thomas, an Oakland Unified School District administrator, as its new superintendent, the Press Democrat reported.
Thomas will replace Lisa August Hulme, who served as interim superintendent in 2025 after the previous superintendent was ousted.
Since 2005, Thomas has worked for Oakland Unified and has served in several administrative roles, including as a school principal and the district’s deputy chief of continuous improvement, which manages student outcomes, according to the Press Democrat. She also holds a doctorate in education from UC Berkeley.
“I am honored to serve the Santa Rosa City Schools community,” Thomas said in a statement, according to the Press Democrat. “My leadership is rooted in the belief that when we cultivate strong partnerships between educators, families and administrators, we create the conditions for every student to thrive. I look forward to listening, learning and working alongside all of you to build upon the district’s successes.”
Thomas will begin in her role in July.
Santa Rosa City Schools board President Nick Caston has applauded Thomas’s track record of improving outcomes following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Dr. Thomas has dedicated over 25 years to education, serving first in the classroom and as a school principal before advancing to district leadership,” Caston said in a statement, according to the Press Democrat. “As a seasoned systems leader, she has established herself as a trusted mentor and supervisor, specializing in instructional leadership and operational efficiency.”
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