ORANGE

Orange Unified School District Supt. Robert L. French, 68, retires today after five years on the job. “This is one of the finest staffs I’ve ever worked with,” he said in a recent interview. “I am proud to say I’ve been part of the Orange Unified School District.” French’s career in education dates from 1956. He has served as a teacher, principal and superintendent, including at the helm of the Beverly Hills School District from 1987 to 1990. Of his role with Orange Unified, he said he is most proud of helping to stabilize the superintendent’s office, which had experienced tremendous turnover. French said his plans include fishing and volunteer work in his home community of Marina del Rey. School board trustees are seeking to hire Barbara Van Otterloo of Michigan as his successor.