Roping it in

Coral Wilson

This year, summer vacation will take on a whole new meaning for

Huntington Beach Union High School District Supt. Susan Roper. After

15 years with the district, the last five in the top role, Roper

announced that she will be retiring June 30.

“I think everyone should retire when they are young and healthy,

and this just seems like a good time for me personally,” Roper said.

Starting in July, while the new superintendent worries about the

budget, Roper will be playing more golf, fishing, reading, cooking

“and all the things you want to have more time for.” She will play

with her grandchildren, spend time with her large extended family and

probably still have time leftover to squeeze in some trips, starting

with one to Europe.

Roper said she feels confident about leaving her post, having

helped to develop a five-year strategic plan for the district that

will provide a strong direction.

“I think in spite of the budget crisis going on in California,

that superintendents will be very attracted to coming to the high

school district,” Roper said. “This is a district with a long

tradition of excellence in academics and co-curricular programs.”

Roper calls herself an “orchestra conductor,” crediting any

success to her team of more than 1,300 employees. She cites a

consistent districtwide improvement in student test scores as the

most important accomplishment.

School board member Michael Simons said there are several more

achievements Roper should be proud of. She established mentoring

programs for students, maintained strong ties to the business

community and brought in funds for new facilities, all the while

displaying excellent organizational and leadership qualities, Simons

said.

For all district superintendents in California, handling the

budget crisis will be the foremost challenge, Roper said. But

modernizing the facilities will be the other essential project for

the high school district, which will celebrate its 100th birthday

this year.

Susan Henry, president of the board of trustees, said that the

district is in a good position as a result of Roper’s hard work.

Roper announced her retirement on Jan. 14, giving the board plenty

of notice.

The board will meet Friday to interview consultants for the

superintendent search, the first part of the process of finding a

replacement.

Board member Matthew Harper said the board will miss Roper.

“As with any superintendent who has performed their job duties

well, she will certainly have large shoes to fill,” he said.

Harper named three of the top qualities essential for new

candidates:

“The right experience, leadership abilities and understanding of

how to serve students.”

* CORAL WILSON is a news assistant who covers education. She can

be reached at (714) 965-7177 or by e-mail at

[email protected].