Huntington Beach Union High School District Superintendent Clint Harwick is set to retire at the end of this school year after 36 years in education, the last seven of them with the district.
“I have been truly blessed to watch some of the best educators and support providers in the county make magical connections with students and help them be successful,” Harwick said. “The best part is we always did it together.”
Harwick joined HBUHSD as the superintendent in 2016. Over the past seven years, Harwick streamlined the district’s “Career Technical Education” opportunities, which are courses that specifically focus on trade work, creating social media and webpages for the program. He also oversaw the expansion of the district’s dual enrollment program, which grew from 30 students to over 7,000 under his tenure.
During his time with HBUHSD, Harwick developed “Unified Sports” and “Unified Arts,” programs that provide opportunities for special education students to compete and perform alongside general education students. In April 2023, the district hosted its first ever “Unified Arts” day, where all students participated in various art workshops, including dances and skits.
In 2022, Harwick was named the Association of California School Administrators Region 17 “Superintendent of the Year” for his accomplishments in the district.
Harwick said that in retirement, he is looking forward to traveling as well as spending time with his two granddaughters.
“It has been a blessing to serve public school educators and dedicated staff that realize an investment in the development of our youth is an investment in our future,” Harwick said.
HBUHSD Board President Duane Dishno said that Harwick has played a “critical role in affecting the climate, attitude and reputation of our schools.”
“He has provided momentum and direction by pairing his vision for our students and our schools with an unrelenting passion for instructional improvement,” Dishno said. “Most importantly, he has conveyed a sense of connection and belonging by helping all of us to understand that we succeed and fail together.”
Before his time with HBUHSD, Harwick was a superintendent for 21 years between Rim of the World Unified School District in San Bernardino and Charter Oak Unified School District in Covina. He also served as the superintendent at Saddleback Valley Unified School District from 2010 to 2016.
He held several positions in the Claremont Unified School District, ranging from baseball coach to high school teacher, principal to director of classified personnel, to name a few.
“Our students and staff have felt safe and cared for under his leadership,” Dishno said. “Dr. Harwick has inspired the best in every member of our district team. While we wish him well in his retirement, his smile and compassion will be missed.”
Harwick’s retirement will be effective in August.
The HBUHSD board met in a special closed session meeting on Saturday, March 16, to discuss what’s next in selecting the next superintendent.
HBUHSD is a high school-only district, overseeing nine schools across Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Westminster.
