| | Published June 10th, 2009
| Stockton to Lead Reorganized AUHSD Team Miramonte and Acalanes High Schools Get New Principals
| | By Andrea A. Firth |  | | John Stockton Photo provided
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A self-described rare, aging veteran of secondary education, John Stockton, Acalanes Union High District's (AUHSD) newly appointed superintendent, brings 37 years of diverse experience to his new position. "We are extremely fortunate to have an individual with the broad experience that John brings to the role of superintendent of our district," stated AUHSD Governing Board member Tom Mulvaney.
In July, Stockton will take over from current AUHSD Superintendent Jim Negri, who has led the district to a number-one ranking for academic performance in the state for the past two years. Negri will move on to serve as the superintendent of the Castro Valley Unified School District. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to both live and work in the same town," stated Negri. "I can walk to the Castro Valley District office, if my knees will let me," he joked.
Negri hired Stockton almost five years ago to serve as the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. Stockton moved to AUHSD from the Fairfield Unified High School District where he had overseen the construction and opening of a new high school. Stockton started his career in education as a social sciences teacher and moved on to hold a variety of teaching and administrative positions including activities director, head counselor, principal, and curriculum director. In 37 years of secondary education, there seems to be little that Stockton as not already seen or done.
Stockton takes over as the district is faced with the potential for further reductions in state funding following a school year that has been consumed with working to balance the budget and maintain personnel and programs in the face of significant funding reductions. "Our most pressing issue is to continue to progress forward with our academic programs despite what is going on with the state and funding," stated Stockton. "We need to focus on student achievement. We are here for the students." He also identified the renewal of the parcel tax, which contributes $7 million to the district coiffeurs and expires in June of 2011, as another important focus for the district. "We have to address the eventual renewal of the parcel tax," stated Stockton. "The community's support of the parcel tax and the funding that it brings the district is one of the things that distinguishes AUHSD from surrounding districts."
Immediately following Stockton's appointment, the District also announced the reorganization of a several positions within the administrative team and the appointment of two new principals. John Nickerson, currently the principal of Acalanes High School, will backfill Stockton's position and serve as Assistant Superintendent of Education Services. "We are fortunate to have John Nickerson in the district to take on this role. He has been one of our curriculum leaders as a principal," stated Stockton. "We have also recruited two high-energy, personable, and intelligent administrators to fill the principal openings at Acalanes and Miramonte High Schools," added Stockton. Aida Glimme, currently an assistant principal at Monte Vista High School in Danville will move to Acalanes, and Adam Clark, currently the principal of J. Douglas Adams Middle School in Brentwood, will replace the departing Raul Zamora at Miramonte.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA