Anaheim City Trustees Pick Superintendent

Roberta Thompson, director of curriculum and instruction for the Anaheim City School District, has been selected by the Board of Trustees to succeed Jack Sarnicky as district superintendent effective July 1.

Sarnicky announced two months ago that he will retire at the end of this school year. He has held the elementary school district’s top post since last summer.

The board’s 4-0 vote to appoint Thompson took place Tuesday night at a special session. Trustee Christopher B. Whorton said a key factor in the decision was that district officials have been “very pleased” with Thompson’s performance over the years.

Whorton said Thompson received high marks in formal reviews conducted by all three district superintendents with whom she has worked. Thompson began her teaching career with the district in 1962 and later served as a principal and in several positions at the district’s central office.

“She has good leadership skills, good educational talents, she knows curriculum, she knows how to make the educational process work, if you will,” Whorton said Wednesday. “And she has strong team-building skills.”

Now that Sarnicky’s successor has been chosen, the trustees will turn their attention to filling the board seat vacated by Jeanne Blackwell, who resigned in February and died three days after her resignation was formally accepted.

Nine candidates have applied to serve the remainder of Blackwell’s term, which expires in November. The board is expected to name the new trustee on Tuesday.