FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Veteran Educator Gets Superintendent Post

After 36 years in public education, Robert G. Sampica has climbed to the top post in the Fountain Valley School District.

District trustees announced his appointment as superintendent last week.

Sampica, who was the district’s deputy superintendent, had assumed the role of interim superintendent in July when Ruben L. Ingram retired.

“In these troubled times, we decided we should keep someone we’re happy with,” Board President Catherine Hacker said. “Bob has been in the district 30 years, and he’s been doing a good job. He offers stability, experience and loyalty.”

Sampica, 63, who grew up in Santa Ana and went through the city’s school system, said that becoming superintendent is the highlight of his career.

He came to the Fountain Valley district in 1964 as a teacher, working at the now-closed William D. Lamb Elementary School.

Over the past three decades, Sampica has served in a variety of jobs, ranging from principal to director of classified personnel and assistant superintendent.

Before working for the Fountain Valley district, Sampica taught for six years in the then-Garden Grove Elementary School District.

Among challenges Sampica said he faces is dealing with the county bankruptcy’s effect on the district. The district has $5.4 million in the county investment pool. Sampica said he will focus on selling surplus properties to raise revenue for much-needed deferred maintenance, such as roof and playground repairs, at the district’s aging schools.

Sampica’s priority list includes strengthening parts of the curriculum.

“It’s my responsibility to make sure this district is moving forward and is on the cutting edge of education--especially in the area of technology. We need to train our children for the future,” he said.