National City School District makes history

In the 145 years of its existence, the National School District has always had men as its superintendents.

But come Sept. 1 history will be made when Leighangela Brady, 45, takes the reigns as the district’s first female superintendent, a moment Brady said she is very proud of.

Brady said her training and mentorships have helped her prepare for the role.

“I have worked for several female superintendents who have been great role models for me,” she said. “I hope that I can do them proud in my time here at National.”

The district’s five-member school board unanimously selected Brady on July 12 to succeed Chris Oram who retired from his post in June after seven years as superintendent and 37 years with the district in various other capacities.

The board approved Brady’s contract Aug. 10. She will earn an annual salary of  $195,000, an increase from the $134,751 she made at the Encinitas Union School District where she most recently served as assistant superintendent of educational services for the past three years.

Schools in the NSD started earlier this month but Brady said she will not move into her new job until Sept. 1 to help ease the transition for her former school as they look for a new assistant superintendent of educational services.

While Brady remains at Encinitas for the time being, NSD district will be run by interim superintendent George Cameron.

Brady said moving from an affluent district in Encinitas to one in National City where many of the students come from low-income families presents a welcome challenge in bridging the digital divide gap, saying the National School district doesn’t have as much access to technology as the district in North County.

“The biggest thing that attracted me to National is the community feel and the family feel of the community,” she said. “People are born here, they raise their children here, they stay in the community, they work in the community,” she said.

She said she can relate with students on campus because she shares some of the same life experiences as them.

For most of her childhood, Brady was raised in Connecticut by a single parent who tried to make ends meet for her seven children.

“I know what it is like to struggle,” she said. “I know what it is like to not have privilege.”

She said these experiences would help her connect with students.

Brady received a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut in bilingual, multicultural studies. She also taught at the Cajon Valley Union School District for more than 10 years.

Brady is convinced that NSD is the right fit for her. In fact, of the 13 superintendent openings in San Diego County this summer, she took a risk and only applied to the NSD.

“We learned that there were 13 positions open for superintendents in San Diego County this past summer,” said board member Alma Sarmiento. “I, for one, was very impressed with the fact that Dr. Brady only applied for the superintendency in the National School District. That speaks volumes. She genuinely cares about our community and school district and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact she has on our children.”

Brady’s immediate goals, she said, are just to get to know all the faculty, staff and students in the district.

She said she wants to help NSD become at the forefront in the digital world.

Brady said expectations for NSD students are high.

“I really believe privilege does open doors,” she said. “ But I don’t believe that your zip code or your income levels should determine your learning capacity.”

Brady holds a doctorate in educational leadership from San Diego State University. She has been in education for 21 years.