Benicia schools superintendent steps down for job at Santa Clara Unified

BENICIA – After three years leading the Benicia Unified School District, Superintendent Damon Wright is stepping down in June.

Wright announced his departure after the Santa Clara Unified school board appointed him as their next superintendent on Thursday. Wright will replace Santa Clara Unified superintendent Dr. Gary Waddell, who is retiring. 

Santa Clara Unified Board President Bonnie Lieberman said in a statement that Wright stood out among applicants for his commitment to closing opportunity gaps for underserved students. 

Wright wrote in a statement to Benicia school staff and community members that he was not actively seeking a new opportunity, but he decided to accept the job with Santa Clara Unified after thoughtful reflection. 

“Over the past three years, we have made meaningful progress together, and I am confident that this positive momentum will continue,” Wright said. “Our students deserve nothing less than the very best, and I know that both the District and the community will remain steadfast in that commitment.”

Wright has worked in education for more than 25 years, beginning as a school counselor with San Diego Unified in 1999, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also worked as a principal at Benicia High and American Canyon High School, and served as Director of Human Resources with the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. 

When Wright was appointed Benicia superintendent in May 2022, the district described him as committed to closing equity gaps and improving student achievement. In October 2024, Benicia Unified was recognized by the state of California for increasing the rate of students meeting or exceeding standards in math. 

In a statement provided to the Vallejo Sun, Wright wrote that during his tenure, Benicia Unified recorded the highest gains in math in the state, according to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. Benicia Middle School showed a 19-point gain in 8th grade math and Mary Farmar Elementary achieved a 17-point increase in 5th grade math.

Wright added that his achievements include improvements in student attendance, the nomination of Liberty High School as a California Model Continuation High School, and the approval of Measure C, a measure to allow the school district to issue up to $12.5 million in bonds to finance infrastructure projects. 

Like other school districts throughout California, Benicia Unified is also facing staffing shortages while grappling with fluctuating state funding and rising costs, Wright said.

But the district has also faced scrutiny — and multiple lawsuits — during Wright’s short tenure. Former Robert Semple Elementary School teacher Matthew Joseph Shelton was charged with child molestation in February 2024. Parents were frustrated to only learn the reasons why Shelton left Robert Semple after reporting by the Vallejo Sun, and alarmed that Benicia Unified hired Shelton even after he was accused of sexually abusing students in Napa. 

Wright has said the current administration was not in place when Shelton was hired, and the district communicates with the community when legally possible. 

Shelton was first offered a position at Robert Semple in 2008, just months after he was acquitted for charges of sexually abusing students in Napa, according to newly released records from Benicia Unified.  He now faces 12 felony counts for alleged child molestation, and his trial is set for October 2025.

Wright’s last day with Benicia Unified is expected to be June 30, when his resignation takes effect. Benicia Unified school board Trustee CeCe Grubbs said in a statement that the school board is sorry to see Wright move on, but excited for him. The board is planning steps to choose the district’s next leader. 

As he prepares to lead Santa Clara Unified, Wright said he is “deeply committed to continuing the work of transformational leadership in service of students.” 

“A piece of my heart will always remain with Benicia Unified School District. This incredible community welcomed me back with open arms and entrusted me with the honor of leading the District,” Wright said. “For that, I will be forever grateful. I will continue to watch from afar and cheer on BUSD’s continued success with pride and admiration.”

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comments from Superintendent Damon Wright and school board Trustee CeCe Grubbs.