The new assistant superintendent of human resources is an
18-year educator with a background in counseling and aspirations of
becoming a superintendent.
Gilroy – The new assistant superintendent of human resources is an 18-year educator with a background in counseling and aspirations of becoming a superintendent.
Michael Lyons, 48, signed a contract last week to head the Gilroy Unified School District’s human resources department. A San Jose-resident, Lyons has worked in a variety of educational positions, including at districts with more than 40,000 students.
The shift to the smaller, 10,000-pupil Gilroy school system was deliberate move that was in line with his career goals, Lyons said.
“I’ve always wanted to be a superintendent,” he said. “In a smaller district, you really get to learn the process and procedures.”
Though Lyons has already started work in Gilroy, he is currently finishing up as director of special education at the Stockton Unified School District, where he has been for the past two years. In that position, he managed a $42 million budget and oversaw 650 employees. Gilroy’s human resource department has five employees.
Lyons has also served as a principal, assistant principal, psychologist, counselor, U.S. History teacher and wrestling coach.
The father of five children, ranging from 13 to 29, plans to continue boating, golfing and fishing in his spare time.
One of Lyons’ first tasks as assistant superintendent will be to negotiate contracts with teachers unions. He’s not worried about the process, having already met with Michelle Nelson, head of Gilroy Teachers Association.
“I don’t sense any tension,” he said. “I sense people wanting to come together to collaborate.”
Lyons is among those wanting to collaborate. With all the turnover in the district, he was drawn to the opportunity to grow with the district and assist a strong leader, he said.
“Dr. (Deborah) Flores has a heck of a reputation here in the area,” he said. “I thought it was a good fit and I wanted to be a part of the team.”
