Quick look: Dr. Jaron Fried, a 29-year veteran of the Anaheim Union High School District and graduate of Katella High School, has been named AUHSD’s next superintendent. He will succeed Michael Matsuda, who is retiring at the end of December.
The next superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District is a familiar name.
Dr. Jaron Fried, a graduate of Katella High School and a 29-year veteran of the district, was recently selected to succeed Superintendent Michael Matsuda, who will retire at the end of this year after more than a decade of service.
The AUHSD Board of Trustees formally announced the appointment at its Aug. 7 meeting, with Fried set to begin his new role in December.
“AUHSD is already a shining example of what public education can be and should be,” he said. “But I believe, together, we can go even further.”
Fried has held a variety of roles in AUHSD since joining the district in 1996, including special education teacher, principal, assistant superintendent of Human Resources, and most recently, assistant superintendent of Educational Services.
He’s credited with spearheading a number of impactful initiatives in Anaheim, including the development of the district’s Career Preparedness Systems Framework, the expansion of civic engagement and dual language immersion programs, and the launch of AUHSD’s Capstone Program and performance-based assessments.
“During the past approximately 10 years that Dr. Jaron Fried has been assistant superintendent of Educational Services, he has been at the forefront of moving the district forward in implementing the many new pathways and programs that we have been recognized for locally, within the state and the nation,” Board President Brian O’Neal said.
Other board members cited Fried’s experience, leadership and alignment with the district’s values as key factors in their decision.
District roots run deep
According to a post on the district’s Facebook page, AUHSD has seen steady gains in student outcomes under Fried’s leadership, including higher graduation rates and increased completion of both A–G coursework and career technical education pathways.
The district has also earned national recognition for its efforts in expanding career pathways, strengthening mental health supports and developing community schools. Fried has represented AUHSD at major education conferences, presenting on topics such as artificial intelligence in education, equity leadership and democratic school systems.
His ties to the district also run deep. His father was a longtime teacher and administrator in Anaheim Union, and his wife, sister and brother-in-law are all current classroom teachers.
Full-circle moment
“I am honored, humbled and filled with a profound sense of purpose as I accept the opportunity to serve as the next superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District,” Fried said. “This is not just a professional milestone — it’s a full-circle moment.”
Fried holds a doctorate in educational leadership and management from Alliant International University, a master’s degree in special education from Cal State Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC San Diego.
Matsuda, who led AUHSD for the past 11 years, announced his decision to retire at the end of the year in a video message released on July 17. Fried will officially begin his new role on Dec. 30.