Since the abrupt departure of former school chief Dr. Elizabeth Novack, the Anaheim Union High School District have been in rapid response mode for the better part of two weeks.
The district has fired off a couple of press releases-one to name the interim superintendent, the other to assure parents and constituents about maintaining a level of academic excellence.
Sandra Barry, who ran the district previously until her retirement five years ago, was named interim superintendent by the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees. Barry began her second stint with the district on Dec.9.
Barry served for eight years as superintendent of the Anaheim City School District, until her retirement in 2008. She also previously served the AUHSD as interim superintedent in 2010.
“Sandy Barry is a highly respected educator who is familiar with the Anaheim Union High School District and the communities it serves,” said Board President Mr. Brian O’Neal. “We are very pleased she agreed to assume the interim spot.”
Mrs. Barry said she is looking forward to her new role.
“I have great respect for the AUHSD as a highly accomplished institution,” she said. “All I need to do is maintain the positive momentum.”
Mrs. Barry began her educational career in Orange County as a junior high school English and French teacher and was quickly promoted to director of educational services, assistant superintendent, and then deputy superintendent.
Mrs. Barry hails from Nebraska, where she received her bachelor’s degree in education from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She also has a master’s degree in education, from California State University, Fullerton.
Mrs. Barry has been involved in a variety of community activities in the Anaheim area, including serving on the boards of the Tiger Woods Foundation, Tiger Woods Learning Center, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, Anaheim Family YMCA, and the Salvation Army.
She has also served in various capacities for the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, Anaheim Achieves After School Program, Kiwanis Club of Greater Anaheim, and the Association of California School Administrators.
In 2007, she received the Tracy Gaffey Award from the Association of California School Administrators for “outstanding leadership by an Orange County superintendent.”
While Mrs. Barry serves in the top spot on a temporary basis, the Board will actively seek to make a permanent appointment as superintendent. In keeping with Board members’ desire to maintain transparency, the community will be kept apprised of the selection process. Board members also shared that they will seek external and internal candidates for the position.
Since naming Barry the short-term superintendent, board members released a second document to qualm any concerns parents may have. This time the onus wasn’t on replacing an educator, it was centered around getting the community more engaged and assisting students in preparing for the Common Core State Standards test.
The Board of Trustees appreciates the comments received in the aftermath of the termination of the contract of Dr. Elizabeth I. Novack. It is the connection between the AUHSD and the community that is going to serve us well as we navigate the future as a District, particularly with the selection of a new superintendent.
“As Board members, we assure you that we will continue to act in the best interests of the District,” We have already taken steps in that direction with the appointment of veteran Anaheim educator Mrs. Sandy Barry as our interim superintendent.
Mrs. Barry is skilled in the interim role, as she proved when she previously served the AUHSD as interim superintendent in 2010. As a retired superintendent of the Anaheim City School District, Mrs. Barry has been able to immediately put into action her deep knowledge and appreciation for public education in Anaheim and our communities of Cypress, La Palma, Buena Park, and Stanton.
The Board would like to take the opportunity presented by Mrs. Barry’s appointment to assure the community that we remain committed to the work currently under way in key areas, including:Common Core State Standards; P21—21st Century Skill; Positive Employee Relations; Community (Parent, Student, Faculty, Staff) Engagement/Educations•California Voting Rights Act; General Obligation Bond Preparation
Meanwhile, it is our intention as a Board to conduct a rigorous, transparent search for our next superintendent. Although we have yet to officially outline the selection process, you may be assured that it will include ample opportunity for the community to state the qualities desired in our next superintendent.
