District finds interim supt.

Assistant Supt. for Human Resources Kathy Kessler will lead the Huntington Beach City School District as interim superintendent while officials conduct a search for a replacement.

“We had a lot of discussion, but at the end it was an easy choice,” board President Rosemary Saylor said.

Supt. Roberta DeLuca announced her retirement effective July 1 earlier in the semester.

Kessler brings more than 37 years of experience with her, including more than a dozen years in her current post at Huntington Beach City.

Taking on an interim superintendent will allow the district time to search for a new one while being conservative with their funds during the budget crisis.

“This would result in a savings to the general fund at this time,” Saylor said.

Several generations of Kessler’s family attended a reception held after the board meeting, when she received dozens of hugs of appreciation and approval.

“We are quite confident that you will keep us pulled together and on an even keel over the next year,” Saylor told Kessler of the board.

“I am deeply honored and truly humbled,” Kessler replied. “I know we’re moving forward into unprecedented times and overwhelming, challenging times, and the advantage of having been here so long is I have absolute confidence in our community” — as well as district staff, she said.

Kessler thanked DeLuca for her leadership and her willingness to allow others the opportunity to lead and develop their own skills during her tenure.

“I am just confident in all of us for making sure that we do the right thing for kids during a challenging time,” Kessler said.

The idea for an interim superintendent came from board Clerk Catherine McGough.

“Kathy’s been a stellar employee with a lot of knowledge,” McGough said.

“I have known Kathy a very long time, and I have just full confidence in her abilities,” Saylor said, detailing how Kessler is well-respected by everyone from her staff to the district’s parents.

“The big challenge will be to maintain our excellence with dwindling resources,” Kessler said.