SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Board Gets Views on Superintendent

The Capistrano Unified School District’s next superintendent should be an academic with strong communication skills, according to residents who addressed the Board of Education this week.

“In selecting candidates you should consider academic leaders and not just business managers--a Ph.D. in English or languages, perhaps,” the board was told by Marilyn Sullivan of the local chapter of the American Assn. of University Women. “Interpersonal relationships are most important. We suggest someone who can bring honor and respect for the administration among teachers and the support staff.”

Thirteen residents attended a hearing Monday at which the board sought public comment on qualities that should be possessed by the successor to Jerome Thornsley, who is retiring June 30 after 16 years as superintendent.

The board, however, wavered on its announced goal of hiring a replacement by Jan. 25. Because of delays in advertising the position in education magazines and newspapers, board member E.G. (Ted) Kopp said, the board would have to rush to meet that deadline. He suggested moving the date to Feb. 25, but the board delayed a decision.

The board did decide to hold similar public hearings at 7 p.m. Monday and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17, before its regularly scheduled meetings.

The board also invited residents to call Ira Krinsky, the consultant who is conducting the district’s search for candidates, at (818) 568-3311 to express their views or to write to Krinsky in care of the district.

At Monday’s meeting, Nancy Fee, president of the Capistrano Bay chapter of the League of Women Voters, agreed with Sullivan, adding that the new superintendent should be able to relate to the growing minority community.

“This is not the same district (as) 10 years ago,” she said.