Santa Ana : 21-Year School Veteran Krass Named District Superintendent

Edward S. Krass, an assistant superintendent of the 35,000-student Santa Ana Unified School District, has been chosen to succeed Supt. John Dunworth when he retires on June 30.

Krass, 54, has worked for the district for the past 25 years, except for four years of military duty in Vietnam.

He began his career in the district as a teacher at the old Ralph C. Smedley Junior High School in 1960. From 1972 until his promotion to his current position last year, Krass was principal of Saddleback High School.

He was among seven candidates considered for the top position.

“All the candidates were exceptionally well qualified,” said Board of Education President Joan Wilkinson. “Dr. Krass, however, during his 25 years with the district, has demonstrated a unique ability to work with and for the students, staff and community of Santa Ana.

“We are confident he has the leadership skills necessary to carry out the goals and objectives of the Board of Education and are very pleased to make this appointment,” Wilkinson said.

Krass’ appointment means he will receive $70,000 annually for the three years of his contract.

A graduate of Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., Krass also holds graduate degrees from Chapman College and Western Colorado University.

He is a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves and served as an intelligence officer and infantry battalion commander in Vietnam. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart.

During the 1974-75 school year, Krass was elected president of the Santa Ana Administrators Assn. and was named Principal of the Year by the North Santa Ana Kiwanis.

Krass and his wife, Rosemary, have two daughters and live in Orange.