Supt. of Orange Schools Resigns

Just two weeks after voters put five new members on the Orange Unified School District board, the school superintendent has resigned.

John Ikerd, a 26-year veteran with the school district, resigned Tuesday.

In a prepared statement Monday, Ikerd said, “These five people, plus the two remaining board members, are charged with setting the future direction for this district. It is appropriate that they have an opportunity to select a superintendent of their choice.”

Ikerd will become a consultant to the board and continue to receive his $87,000 annual salary until his contract expires on June 30.

“The Board of Education and I have agreed that this mutual decision is in no way intended to reflect adversely on my integrity or reputation,” Ikerd said after meeting with the school board Monday night.

Board member Jeff Holstien said the resignation came as a surprise and that Ikerd did not elaborate on his reasons.

“There was a sense that he had made the decision and wanted to put it behind him,” Holstien said Wednesday.

On Nov. 7, three incumbents on the board were defeated and two open seats were filled, giving the seven-member board a new majority.

The district has been plagued by scandal. One of the defeated incumbents, and two other board members who did not seek reelection, were accused by the 1986-87 Orange County Grand Jury of “willful misconduct in office” for failing to prevent alleged bid-rigging and kickbacks. The three face a civil trial in Superior Court.

In the election campaign, the teachers’ union accused the trustees of allowing overcrowded classrooms, failing to support bilingual education and dragging their feet in salary negotiations with employees.

Ikerd began with the district as an Algebra teacher in 1964. He later became principal of Santiago and El Rancho junior high schools and El Modena High School, before coming to the district office as a contract administrator in 1982. In October, 1986, he was appointed as acting superintendent after Kenneth Brummel was fired from the post. Ikerd was then hired as permanent superintendent in a unanimous board vote in June, 1987.

David Burgdoff, assistant superintendent of personnel, has been named interim superintendent.