Sometimes the right leader isn’t found somewhere across the country.
Sometimes, she’s been here all along.
The Vacaville Unified School District Governing Board is proud to share that Sasha Begell has been identified as VUSD’s next Superintendent of Schools.
After an extensive and competitive nationwide search, Sasha rose to the top. And while the process was rigorous, the outcome feels wonderfully simple: Vacaville chose one of its own.
Sasha’s story with Vacaville didn’t begin in a district office; it began in our schools. She grew up here. She walked these campuses as a student. Today, she walks them as a leader… and as a mom. Her children have graduated from, or are currently attending, VUSD schools. When she talks about “our students,” she means it in every sense of the word.
Her career in education began in 2002 as a special education teacher in Fairfield-Suisun Unified and Travis Unified, where she spent nearly a decade supporting students and families. From the very beginning, she gravitated toward students who needed strong advocates, and she became one. She later stepped into district leadership roles, including Assistant Director of Educational Services, before ultimately returning home to Vacaville.
And since 2017? Well, she hasn’t exactly been sitting still.
Sasha has served VUSD as Director of Special Education, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Options and Supports, and, since July 2023, as Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. In each role, she has built a reputation for being thoughtful, steady, collaborative, and deeply focused on students. She listens carefully. She asks hard questions. She rolls up her sleeves. She cares.
Board President Nancy Dunn reflected on the process, sharing that the Board approached this decision with the gravity it deserved. The search was transparent, inclusive, and intentionally rigorous. In a field of strong candidates, Sasha distinguished herself as a leader ready to step in on day one, not just with experience, but with heart, clarity, and commitment.
The Board plans to formally approve her appointment at the March 12 meeting.
Outgoing Superintendent Ed Santopadre, who will retire at the end of the school year, shared his confidence in the selection. Having worked alongside Sasha closely, he knows firsthand the kind of leader she is, someone who builds teams, solves problems, and never loses sight of why we are here: students.
For Sasha, this moment is both professional and deeply personal.
“Vacaville is more than just where I work; it is my home,” she shared. “This community has given so much to my family and me. I am profoundly honored to give back in this way.”
Her vision is clear: every single student seen, valued, and challenged to grow every day. She believes educators and staff are the heartbeat of our schools and is committed to building a culture where teams feel supported, empowered, and equipped to thrive.
And if you’ve worked with Sasha, you know this — she’s not interested in maintaining the status quo. She’s interested in building on what’s strong, refining what can be better, and ensuring our graduates leave with more than a diploma; they leave with confidence, skills, and real opportunity.
This isn’t just a leadership transition. It’s a continuation of a story, one rooted in community, commitment, and belief in what Vacaville students can achieve.
Vacaville is home for Sasha.
And now, she will help lead it forward.