La Cañada schools superintendent to retire

After six years at the helm of La Cañada’s public schools, Supt. James Stratton will retire at the end of this school year, it was announced Monday.

Stratton was not immediately available for comment but said in a prepared statement issued by the La Cañada Unified School District office that he was “extremely proud” of the district’s accomplishments, including “the consistent academic excellence, the solid management of our financial resources, the successful parcel tax election, the designation of all four schools as California Distinguished Schools, the focus on our Every Student Succeeds plans at each school and the expansion of our arts, electives and athletic programs are just a few of the achievements that staff, students, parents and the community at large have performed together.”

Governing Board President Susan Boyd said in the same news release, “We feel very fortunate to have had Jim leading our district for the last six years. All aspects of our schools have improved during his tenure and much of that could not have been achieved without the respect with which he is regarded, the high level of trust he has developed with all levels of stakeholders and the consummate professionalism he expected of himself and all of his staff members. We will miss him very much.”

Stratton, a former principal of La Cañada High School, has been with the district since 1991.

--Carol Cormaci