04-25-03news1

OUSD chief may leave
BDr. Van Riley, superintendent of the Ojai Unified School District, announced Thursday that he is the top candidate to take the same position with the Huntington Beach Union High School District, with a July 1 starting date.

In a memo to district staff, Riley - hired in 2000 - wrote that, "In the past three years we have made great strides in many areas ... We have also worked through all the issues surrounding declining enrollment and budget deficits. Ojai is strong and heading in the right direction."
Though the Huntington School District has apparently announced Riley as their selection, the process won't be final until May 6, Riley's memo stated.

Huntington Beach Union High School District, located in Orange County, includes eight high schools, including Valley Vista, a continuation school, and Coast High School, an alternative school. Total enrollment in 2001-02 school year was 14,434. That's a 360 percent increase from Ojai's 3,950 students.

"This is a real advancement for him," said board member Bob Unruhe. "I congratulate him and wish him well."

Unruhe said that Riley made significant improvements to the district's special education and building programs. "He's made some real strong contributions to the district," he said. "He can take real pride in having done that."

The board is scheduled to meet May 1 to decide on the process of replacing Dr. Riley. The two most likely options are to seek candidates and hire a replacement themselves, or to contract with a recruiting agency.

"We've got a big challenge ahead," Unruhe said. "But I think we're up to the task."

Riley concluded his staff memo by writing, "Remember, change is imminent. How we handle change is up to us."

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