John W. Stallings; School Finance Expert

John W. Stallings, an educator and administrator who was an expert on school finance, has died of Parkinson’s disease. He was 76.

Stallings, a USC professor for more than a quarter of a century, died Feb. 25 at Corona Regional Medical Center in Corona.

By the time Stallings joined USC’s Rossier School of Education in 1969, he was well-rooted in the practical problems of the public schools that would seek his advice. He had taught in elementary, middle and high schools, been a principal, served as assistant superintendent of Riverside County schools, and from 1963 to 1969 was superintendent of the Corona-Norco Unified School District.

During his tenure with the Corona district, Stallings supervised the building of 13 schools, changed boundaries and worked with white and Latino leaders to quietly desegregate the district. A state study of segregation concluded that Stallings’ plan was as effective as any in the state.

The district later named one of Corona’s elementary schools in Stallings’ honor.

“A school is a building with tomorrow inside,” Stallings said when the school was dedicated in 1972. “A school is an idea. It is love--with a lump in your throat.”

Stallings also knew schools involved money, and was adept at getting bond issues passed to support them. At USC, he was frequently consulted by California school districts about marshaling finances.

“His 1962 book, ‘California School Finance,’ ” said USC education Dean Guilbert C. Hentschke, “provided a comprehensive analysis of the school budgeting process as influenced by current legislation. To this day, school business managers turn to it as an invaluable reference guide, and it remains the basic text for courses in school finance at nearly every college and university in the state.”

At USC, Stallings served as professor, chairman of the division of educational policy and administration, and interim dean of the School of Education. As division chairman, he organized and taught graduate programs in education administration for the U.S. Department of Defense schools in Europe and Asia. He retired to professor emeritus status in 1996.

Born in Albany, Okla., Stallings earned an associate’s degree at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., and then served as a Navy aviator during World War II. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and master’s and doctoral degrees in education at USC.

Stallings is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dina; a son, Kim; two daughters, Julie and Share Stallings; two sisters, Mildred Hight and Linda Staton; and two grandchildren. His wife, one sister and all three children earned degrees at USC.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. at the John Stallings Elementary School, 1980 Fullerton St., Corona.

Donations in his name can be sent to the John W. Stallings Scholarship Fund for Future Educators, Corona-Norco Unified School District, 2820 Clark Ave., Norco, CA 92860.