By Torre Peña
The Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees pared down a stack of résumés to five candidates hoping to fill the superintendent's position opening in June.
The next step is a rigorous interviewing process. A final decision is expected by the end of May.
Board members say they are being meticulous in choosing a successor for Tod Likins, who is retiring in June after seven years at the post.
Board president Ron Adolphson said Likins is leaving behind big shoes to fill. "Tod has done a marvelous job," Adolphson said.
A former Saratoga High School principal, Likins is known as a straight shooter with good communication skills. The Santa Cruz native is retiring after 38 years in education.
"He has no hidden agendas," board member Nancy Crampton said. "He's an excellent communicator."
Despite the loss of Likins, Adolphson is encouraged by the strength of candidates interested in the position. The board will interview the five candidates on April 26.
"We're going to put these guys through the wringer," Adolphson said, commenting on the extensive interviewing process and background checks.
The actual selection process started months ago, when the board held public forums to consider input from the public. From the comments received, interview questions were developed.
An advisory committee was also formed to make recommendations and voice concerns to the board. The 12-person committee is made up of teachers, parents, district employees and a representative of the district's Teachers Association. The committee will also interview the candidates, but the final selection of a new superintendent is in the hands of the board.
The board will consider the candidates' written responses to prepared questions, and how they communicate with the public. Since all the candidates have impressive education credentials, their style is important, Adolphson said. He added that relations between administrators and teachers have been good in the past, and he would like to see this maintained. "Openness is important," Adolphson added.
Crampton agreed, adding that the vision of the district and the superintendent need to mesh.
"The district is decentralized, and the principals have a lot of clout. We need a superintendent that is comfortable with that," she said.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, April 23, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.