Redwood City superintendent retiring: Jan Christensen led elementary school district since 2006, some say new direction needed

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as superintendent in Redwood City,” Christensen said in a prepared statement.

Under Christensen, district schools, teachers and staff won various awards for outstanding scholastic achievement, such as Adelante Spanish Immersion School, Orion Alternative School and North Star Academy winning recognition as California Distinguished Schools by the state Department Of Education, according to a district report.

“I am so proud of the creative and rigorous work I see in our classrooms, and the dedication of each and every employee,” she said. “I look forward to hearing about great achievements by RCSD graduates in the future.”

The Association of California School Administrators named her the 2013 superintendent of the year in region five, which covers San Mateo and San Francisco counties.

Despite her successes in leading the district, Christensen’s tenure was not without its contentious moments.

The proposal to add two charter schools to the district last summer pitted some parents against the administration, over concerns that the new schools might divert money away from district students.

Christensen drew the ire of some parents when she recommended to adopt KIPP Bay Area Schools and Rocketship Education into the district, under the justification that the district could not deny the charter schools admission on the grounds of financial hardship.

Melissa Haussler, a Redwood City resident and parent of students in the district, spoke during the public comment portion of a school board discussion about the charter schools, and suggested that Christensen step down as superintendent.

Haussler said she appreciated what Christensen had accomplished for the local schools, especially the superintendent’s ability to raise money for the district, and lead with a limited budget.

But she also said she is ready to see the district chart a fresh course.

“She’s done a lot for our community,” said Haussler. “But it’s time for new leadership, new blood and a new direction.”

Under Christensen, contract negotiations with the Redwood City Teachers Association grew heated in 2013, when educators requested a raise, which would have been the first of its kind since 2008.

The two sides initially came to an impasse over the teachers’ demands, but that was eventually resolved in June of last year, when a 3.5 percent rate hike was agreed upon.

Bret Baird, former teacher union president, characterized the negotiations at the time as “rocky,” but expressed satisfaction over the eventual outcome.

Board Vice President Alisa MacAvoy spoke highly of Christensen’s ability to lead the district.

“I think Jan has been an excellent superintendent, and I’m sorry to see her go” said MacAvoy.

MacAvoy also noted that Christensen joined the district right as the country suffered an economic downturn, and she admired the superintendent’s willingness to prioritize student welfare at all times, despite budget hardships.

“She always had less money than she needed, and she always managed to put students first,” MacAvoy said.

Board members will formally begin the process of searching for Christensen’s replacement during a closed-session meeting Wednesday, Jan. 28.

MacAvoy said she appreciated Christensen giving the district so much advance warning in leading up to beginning its process to find another superintendent.

There is hope that the district might be able to find a new superintendent before Christensen’s slated July 1 departure, as that might provide an opportunity to establish a more seamless transition, said MacAvoy.

Christensen’s announcement did not come as a complete surprise to the board, as the superintendent had recently begun to make her intent to leave known, said MacAvoy.

“She had been talking about it for a little while,” said MacAvoy.

According to a prepared statement, Christensen plans to form a consulting practice with her husband Bill, who is a counselor at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, focused on serving high school students applying to college.

“I really thank her for her nine plus years of service to the students and staff,” said MacAvoy.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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