The Glendale Union High School District (GUHSD) Governing Board has selected two finalists in its search for the district’s next superintendent: Matthew Belden and Dr. Gareth Diaz Zehrbach. Late last year, Superintendent Brian Capistran announced his retirement, effective June 2025, after a 30-year career with GUHSD.
According to the district website, Belden currently serves as the assistant superintendent of Operations and Athletics for GUHSD. With a 25-year career in education, he has held various positions, including teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal. He also played a key role in the district’s Curriculum and Instruction Department as the Administrator for School Safety and Academic Support, where he oversaw Title Funds and school improvement initiatives. Zehrbach, an alumnus of Greenway High School within the Glendale Union High School District, brings over two decades of educational leadership to his candidacy for the superintendent position. Currently serving as deputy superintendent of Administrative Leadership & Services for the Deer Valley Unified School District, he oversees 42 schools, including five comprehensive high schools, all of which have achieved “A” ratings.
As part of the selection process, district faculty, staff and community members are invited to meet and hear from both finalists at a Community Forum on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. The event will take place at the Moon Valley High School auditorium, 3625 W. Cactus Road, Phoenix.
Read more about both candidates by visiting www.guhsdaz.org/15793?articleID=19982.
