El Rancho to Seek New Schools Chief

El Rancho Unified School board members will be looking for their fourth school superintendent in four years.

School board members have voted 4-3 not to renew Supt. John T. Sherman’s contract when it expires in June. Sherman, who has worked in the district 32 years, has been superintendent for 16 months.

Board members Raul Salcido, John Garcia, Rita Jo Ramirez and Eleanor Cole voted to replace Sherman, but have refused comment.

Sherman, 55, has served as superintendent since September, 1992, when he replaced former Supt. Fernando Elizondo, who left the district for unspecified personal reasons after 20 months on the job.

The turnover began in 1990 when Supt. Thomas Sakalis retired after eight years. The board named Assistant Supt. Arthur Narvaez interim superintendent. He headed the district until January, 1991, when Elizondo was hired and given a three-year contract.

When Elizondo departed unexpectedly, the board turned to Sherman, citing his longevity with the 10,700-student district. A graduate of El Rancho High School, Sherman held several teaching and administrative posts in the district. He was assistant superintendent of operations before being named to the top post.

Sherman said he has not decided what he will do when he leaves his $92,750-a-year job. He would not comment further on the board’s decision.

Some community leaders criticized the board’s decision, however.

“I think John got a raw deal,” said Pico Rivera resident Frank Millan, a former board member who lost his seat in the school board election last November. “As far as I was concerned, he was an outstanding superintendent.”

“We’ve had four (superintendents) leave,” said parent Angie Lora, who has lived in the district 21 years. “It’s very gloomy . . . this turnover we’ve been having lately.”

Others characterized Sherman as a lackluster administrator. “He’s just a stand-in,” parent Darlene Hancox said. “I don’t see anything he’s accomplished.”

Board members Mary Eva Gomez, Frank Boyce and Cecilia Chavez opposed the decision to replace Sherman.