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Superintendent is forced to leave her post due to health reasons

'Superwoman' to leave district after 10 years

By Michele Leung

Cindy Ranii's mind is perfectly able to sprint ahead, but her body wouldn't be able to catch up.

The superintendent of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District, who was felled by a virus that attacked her spinal cord last July, has decided she can no longer continue as the chief administrator. She will step down next year, after completing 10 years with the district.

"The district does deserve a vigorous superintendency, and I'm not sure I can provide it," she said. "It seems more appropriate to get somebody who can work a full 50- to 60-hour week. That's in the best interest of the district."

The trustees were to meet June 6 to decide on the selection process for a new superintendent. Ranii said she will continue until a replacement has been chosen, and she will stay with the district for one more year to help during the transition.

"I'm sorry to see her leave," said Doug Ramezane, Los Gatos High School principal. "She's been an insightful leader at Los Gatos. I think she's very perceptive, she's strong and a good listener. She'll be hard to replace."

Phil Nielsen, present of the board of trustees, said he hopes to have a new administrator in place by the start of the fall semester.

Ranii, 59, a former long-distance walker, has been unable to use her legs since last summer when a virus caused inflammation on both sides of her spinal cord. Her doctors determined that she has idiopathic transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder, and Ranii has used a wheelchair ever since. One of the consequences of her ailment is diminished stamina. As of a couple of weeks ago, she had been authorized by her doctors to work only three full-time days a week.

Ranii said her doctors have called her progress remarkable, but it still wasn't enough to meet the demanding hours the superintendent's job requires.

"I was hopeful that I would be back to full time within a year, so there is a little disappointment," she said. "But one achievement is that I've been able to attend some evening meetings. That's a hallmark."

Ranii said she had to weigh her personal life with her career goals in making her decision. She added she has had to fight her natural tendencies to try to be Superwoman, plowing ahead with a busier schedule that would have been a detriment to her health. But in the end, her personal well-being won out. Her granddaughter can look forward to spending more time with her.

"It's a complex and challenging decision for anyone to make," Ranii said.

Ranii has been focused on her recovery and aims to be as fully independent as possible. Her therapy has included adaptive PE classes at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, and she will continue her rehabilitation at West Valley College during the summer. Her house has been outfitted with a lift so she can go from her garage into the house. She has been dependent on friends and colleagues for transportation, but is looking forward to the day when she can drive herself in a specially modified van.

A new set of wheels may come in handy soon. While she'll work with the district for one more year, she doesn't plan to sit still after that. Teaching education administration at Santa Clara University or at San José State University is a possibility, as is working in some capacity with organizations that service the disabled. While she is looking forward to the future, Ranii knows there will be several "last time" moments coming up soon.

In a couple of weeks, she'll attend the graduation at Los Gatos. Next year, she'll close out her career with the graduation at Saratoga High School.

"They're limited in number for me," Ranii said. "The poignancy has set in."

Nielsen commended Ranii for her work in leading the district, despite cutting back on her hours.

"She's doing everything she can to help the district," he said. "She's been an inspirational leader in how she's handled this adversity."