Quick look: After 11 years as superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District, Michael Matsuda has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31, 2025. An internal search for his successor will continue through July 28.
After serving as superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District for the past 11 years, Michael Matsuda has announced his decision to retire.
Matsuda shared the news in a video message posted to the district’s website and YouTube channel. His tenure will officially conclude on Dec. 31.
“Like all the thousands of students who have graduated through their own capstones, their own reflections on life, I am ready to move on with the next stage of my journey,” he said.
While Matsuda’s time as superintendent has been marked by innovative student programs and major funding initiatives, his appointment in 2014 initially came as a surprise. Despite 21 years of experience within the district, his background was primarily in the classroom — teaching at Orangeview Junior High School and Oxford Academy.
Still, Matsuda quickly began introducing programs and partnerships that would shape AUHSD’s direction for more than a decade.
His work centered around expanding opportunities for students and ensuring their career readiness, partnering with higher education and companies like Google to grow dual-enrollment programs and credential pathways. One of the hallmark initiatives born from these efforts, the “Anaheim Pledge,” offers free tuition to district graduates attending Cypress or Fullerton College with plans to transfer to UC Irvine.
Under Matsuda’s leadership, AUHSD also became the first California Democracy School District — a reflection of his commitment to civic learning and to preparing students not just for life after high school, but for active, informed citizenship.
“Superintendent Matsuda’s impact will be felt for generations,” said Trustee Annemarie Randle-Trejo in a news release posted to the district’s Facebook page. “His work reimagined what public schools can be — and our responsibility now is to carry that vision forward with integrity and resolve.”
The AUHSD Board of Trustees has initiated an internal search for the district’s next superintendent. As part of the process, the board is seeking input from the community through a multilingual survey asking for feedback on the qualities and experience the public would like to see in the next leader. Both the application and survey will remain open through Monday, July 28.
“As we begin an internal search for our next superintendent, we are committed to continuing the mission and core values that have brought our district this far, and will carry us forward into the future,” said Trustee Jessica Guerrero.
Matsuda’s successor will be tasked with navigating enrollment declines and fiscal pressures — challenges that school districts across California continue to face in the aftermath of post-pandemic funding shifts.
The Anaheim Union High School District serves approximately 25,000 students in the communities of Anaheim, Cypress, Buena Park, Stanton and La Palma.