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Messer new superintendent
McCreath taking over for retiring MHS Principal Winters
MUSD1-1-8-09
Jason Messer, shown during a January budget reduction committee, is now Manteca Unified’s permanent superintendent. - photo by Bulletin file photo
Jason Messer is no longer Manteca Unified’s acting superintendent.

On Tuesday, the school board appointed the employee of the district since 2000 to the top administrative post.

Trustees, in closed session, voted 5-2 in favor of Messer. Dissenting were board members Nancy Teicheira and Manuel Medeiros.

“Jason, I want to welcome you back to our district,” board President Michael Seelye said.

Messer was the assistant superintendent of educational services since 2004.He had been juggling his responsibilities since taking on the acting superintendent duties when Cathy Nichols-Washer took on a similar job at Lodi Unified this past summer.

Described as “a master facilitator” and a “creative leader,” Messer has been working to guide the district during these tough economic times.

Upon his appointment to acting role, he spearheaded efforts to reduce Manteca Unified’s budget woes by putting together a 100-member committee.

Messer, who received his degree from the University of the Pacific and his masters in Educational Administration from California State University, Sacramento, holds both a multiple subject teaching and administrative service credentials.

He began his teaching career in 1993 as a sixth-grade teacher for Lincoln Unified and, two years later, was dean of students at Lincoln High. He secured grants, worked with gang associated youth, oversaw discipline, and served as principal for the high school summer program.

In 1996, Messer was appointed principal at Brookside School.

He came to Manteca Unified some four years later as director of elementary education.

In addition, the board unanimously voted Doug McCreath as the next principal at Manteca High.

He’ll take over from Steve Winters, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

McCreath, who has a business degree from San Jose State and a masters in Educational Management from the University of LaVerne, has been assistant principal at the school since 2004.

Previously, he dean of students at East Union High for two years and also taught business there since 1991.

McCreath started his career at Manteca Unified in 1990, teaching math at Brock Elliott School.