Wolford to Retire as Chief of Simi Valley Schools

Mary Beth Wolford, superintendent of Ventura County’s largest school district, announced her retirement Tuesday to be effective at year’s end, terminating a nearly 10-year tenure with the Simi Valley Unified School District.

Wolford, 63, told the school board and the public at a meeting Tuesday night that she chose to retire at the end of the year so that she could complete several projects, including opening a new magnet high school, building two junior high school gymnasiums, completing a high school stadium and redrawing district boundaries.

“I can truly say it is the finest professional experience I have ever had in my career,” she said.

Board members publicly praised Wolford, thanking her for her enthusiasm and dedication.

“She demonstrated the ability to lead during a very difficult time of very scarce resources in the district,” trustee Norman Walker said. Wolford engineered “many projects that we will be proud of for many years to come,” he said.

But trustees Carla Kurachi and Debbie Sandland had long criticized Wolford on proposals that came before the board, including developing the magnet school.

In the fall, both voted against extending her contract until June 1997. Sandland at the time criticized Wolford’s leadership and priorities.

Board President Judy Barry supported Wolford at board meetings and in comments outside the board room, and Walker said she had his support as well.

Wolford was not available for comment Tuesday night. But observers said they believed that she was just tired of fighting.

“It’s difficult to lead a board with a 3-2 split,” said Ron Myren, president of the district’s teachers union. “It would be difficult for any superintendent. With what she has had to work with, she’s done a fairly decent job.”

Myren, a teacher in the district, characterized Wolford as a “mostly fair” but “extremely tough” negotiator in contract disputes with teachers.

Butch Peterson, an elementary school principal and president of the management employees association, said Wolford had always been open and understanding.

“I’m sorry to see her go,” he said.

As part of a “golden handshake” arrangement that is available to retiring certificated employees, Wolford will earn an extra two years of service credit toward her monthly retirement pension. In addition, Barry said, the district will pay her medical, dental and vision insurance with an HMO for two years after she retires.

Myren said the district’s golden handshakes do not include cash settlements.

Wolford came to the district in 1987 as an assistant superintendent in charge of business and moved up to assistant and deputy superintendent before taking the top job at the 18,800-student district in 1993.