Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

After 38 years in education, Superintendent Tod Likins plans to spend more time at the beach.

High school superintendent announces his plans to retire

Board considers what it wants in new leader

By Cecily Barnes

Superintendent Tod Likins has announced his intention to leave the Los Gatos-Saratoga High School District and retire this June.

"It's just time," he said in a telephone interview. "I've been in the education business for 38 years and have been the superintendent for the last seven of those."

A Santa Cruz High School graduate who never left home, Likins will soon be exempt from battling Highway 17 every morning.

"I don't have any plans for after retirement," Likens said, "except I'm going to spend more time at the beach."

Last Tuesday, the high school board held a special meeting to determine how it would scout out Likins' replacement. After over an hour of discussion, board members came up with an extensively designed hiring process.

"This is such an important decision for the district that we need to get input from all sources," said board president Ron Adolphson. "Anybody who has an interest in the district and in the education in Los Gatos and Saratoga, we want them to know they have the opportunity to let us know what they think."

For starters, the board formed a 12-person advisory committee made up of four teachers, four parents, two classified employees, one district office employee and Ann Haggerty, president of the district's Teachers Association. Members of the committee will be asked to meet with their constituents to gather information, and in early February, members will report their findings back to the board.

Members of this committee will be involved in the interview process once finalist have been selected. Adolphson speculated that selections will be narrowed down by April or May.

"After they've met with [the finalists], they will give a recommendation or at least supply their comments to the board, which will ultimately make the final choice," Adolphson explained.

Between now and February, board members intend to make themselves available to students, teachers and parents for input. They are working on scheduling day and evening times when they will be available at both high schools.

"There is going to be a schedule," Adolphson said. "We will have two to three days, and probably an equal number of evenings, to meet with parents and gather input."

Once the committee reports its findings to the board in February, the board will determine whether or not to hire outside consultants to search for applicants.

"I think this is the right way to go. This is just such an important decision," Adolphson reiterated.