FONTANA, CA – Fontana Unified School District Superintendent Randal S. Bassett will retire effective Aug. 1, 2022, bringing to a close an illustrious career in which he dedicated more than 25 years to fostering innovation and high levels of achievement in the District.

Bassett, who has nearly 30 years of management experience in education, was appointed to the District’s top position in December 2016. During his time in Fontana Unified, Bassett also served as interim superintendent, associate superintendent of business services and chief technology officer.

Bassett’s vision for Fontana Unified School District focused on student empowerment and innovative educational opportunities. Under his leadership, the District expanded its career technical education program offerings, providing students with cutting-edge experience in bio animatronics, aviation, mechatronics, and more; successfully launched its 1:1 technology program, equipping every student with a device for learning; saw two middle schools recognized as Microsoft Showcase Schools, three middle schools honored as California Schools to Watch and three schools named California Distinguished Schools; navigated school closures prompted by COVID-19 and ensured a safe and successful return to full-time, in-person learning.

Bassett’s leadership was recognized by the UC Davis C-STEM Center, which named him its 2021 Superintendent of the Year for overseeing the successful implementation of curriculum designed to help struggling students discover a love for mathematics, and by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), which named him the Region 12 Technology Administrator of the Year in 2014.

Dr. Monica Makiewicz, associate superintendent of teaching and learning, will serve as acting superintendent following Bassett’s retirement. Makiewicz, who came to Fontana Unified in November 2020, has approximately 27 years of education experience. She has held leadership roles throughout her career, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of curriculum and instruction and assistant superintendent of educational services at districts throughout Los Angeles County.

Makiewicz holds a doctorate in educational administration and an administrative credential from UC Riverside, a J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree and teaching credentials from Santa Clara University.