Ramona trustees begin search for new superintendent

By: DARRYN BENNETT - Staff Writer | Monday, February 18, 2008 10:15 PM PST ∞

RAMONA -- After 10 years on the job, Ramona Unified School District Superintendent Pete Schiff will retire at the end of the school year on June 30.

Schiff, 59, announced his plans to retire at a board meeting last week. District trustees will talk about replacing Schiff during tonight's closed board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Wilson Administration Center at 720 ninth St.

Schiff could not be reached for comment Monday.

Board member Bob Stoody said Monday that the district will probably advertise the position and consider candidates within the district first.

"People on the inside that have earned the trust factor we'll look at first," he said. "People we've seen under fire."

Stoody said the board wants someone who can balance the district's strained budget without sacrificing students' education.

"The bottom line is important, of course," Stoody said. "But we can't put the kids under the bottom line. That's where it's important for (a superintendent) to be balanced."

Originally from Chicago, Schiff grew up in Palos Verdes and attended San Diego State University. He began his 37-year career in education as an industrial arts teacher and coach in the Sweetwater Union High School District in Chula Vista. He became dean of student activities and assistant principal there before moving on to the La Mesa/Spring Valley School District to take over as principal of La Presa Middle School.

After four years, he left La Mesa to work for the Manhattan Beach City School District as business manager and assistant to the superintendent. Before taking the reins of Ramona Unified, he served as assistant superintendent of business services of the Bonita Unified School District in San Gabriel Valley.

During Schiff's early years in leading the district, there was an increase in enrollment and new construction in the rural district. Over the last six years, he has faced challenges with decreasing enrollments and budget cuts, Stoody said.

"I would suspect those things will continue to be a big challenge in the future too," he said.

Enrollment and budget figures weren't immediately available Monday, but like most districts across California, Ramona Unified has had to dip into reserve funds and search for ways to cut costs and raise revenues as salaries and other expenses have grown.

In recent years, parent-teacher groups have been asked to provide schools with supplies, such as tissues and bottled water, and the cost of students' lunch has been increased.

Also, the district increased the charge for riding the district's school buses, and lights are often kept off in the hallways of the district office to cut utility costs, district officials have said.

Stoody said he hopes a new superintendent is named and ready to take over by Aug. 1, before the first day of school Aug. 25.

"The district has moved forward with (Schiff) and now the district is going to move forward without (Schiff)," Stoody said. "(Schiff) is able to leave on a high note, though."

-- Contact staff writer Darryn Bennett at (760) 740-5420 or dmbennett@nctimes.com.

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