SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Can Pick a Chief by Feb. 1, Board Told

The Capistrano Unified School District board will be able to select a new superintendent by Feb. 1, a consultant told board members Monday night.

The board voted Monday to hire Ira Krinsky & Associates of Los Angeles to conduct a national search to replace Supt. Jerry Thornsley, who is retiring June 30 after heading the district 16 years. The firm will be paid $25,000, plus $5,000 in expenses.

The consultant representing Krinsky suggested having three public meetings at district high schools to solicit comments from residents about the qualifications for the new superintendent. The majority on the board wanted just one meeting, saying it was unlikely that there would be a large enough turnout to warrant having three meetings.

“To have three high school sessions would be largely ineffective,” board member Brian R. Demsey said. “In my seven years on the board, when we’ve had these types of meetings, five, six or seven people show up.”

Only board President Annette B. Gude argued for holding three meetings.

“We’re serving three distinct communities,” Gude said. “If we make this easy for the public, we’ll have a large turnout, and if we don’t, they can’t say we didn’t come out and meet with them.”