Manhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent John Bowes announced at a district board meeting his plans to retire at the end of the 2026 school year.
In an email to parents, Bowes relays his pleasure of having served as superintendent for the past few years. He plans to serve out his term until June 30.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served in public education for 36 years, and especially for the privilege of spending the last decade as a superintendent, including the last five years here in MBUSD,” said Bowes.
Bowes retirement announcement leaves the school board with just over six months to choose the next superintendent. He originally began serving as superintendent in the Davis Joint Unified School District in Northern California in 2021.
Costa senior Jaden Kelley is one of the MBUSD student board representatives and regularly meets with Dr. Bowes during meetings.
“Dr. Bowes was always very kind and patient to everyone on the board, especially the students,” Kelley said.
Within his three decades of working in public education, Bowes was not only a superintendent, but teacher, principal, director, and assistant superintendent. Before coming to MBUSD, Dr. Bowes served as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources in Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.
“I only worked with him for a short amount of time, but I could tell he was confident and knew what he was doing,” Kelley said.
Dr. Bowes’ service as superintendent furthered District goals in obtaining MBUSD’s five Board goals: maximizing academic success of all students, creating a culture of care, developing District infrastructure and facilities, maintaining a balanced budget, and communicating clearly.
“I remember meeting him for the first time and he was super nice to me,” Kelley said. “Dr. Bowes did a great job as superintendent.”
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