Interim chief prepares for transition

<p>Steve Bolman, who was selected to serve as interim superintendent of Petaluma City Schools for one year beginning July 1, already is planning to take prepare himself for the job.</p><p>“I've worked closely with Greta (Viguie), the current superintendent, so I understand some aspects of the job, but will need some time to learn other responsibilities. The good thing is, we have the next four months to work together. This should make for a smooth transition,” said Bolman, who has served in the school district for 19 years, including the past nine as deputy superintendent of business and administration. </p><p>After Viguie announced that she is retiring, effective June 30, the PCS Board of Education unanimously voted for Bolman to fill the post at its special meeting on Feb. 3, but the appointment is pending negotiations of a contract that will involve legal counsel, said Mary Schafer, the board's president.</p><p>“We hope to finalize it next week,” she said.</p><p>Bolman is interested in the position because his considerable experience with the district would be an asset.</p><p>“At this time, with the state of budgets and their impacts on school districts, I think that my skill set would be beneficial to the district,” he said.</p><p>Bolman feels that his experience working with unions representing teachers, as well as classified and certified employees, would be particularly useful, and that he would provide a continuity for PCS.</p><p>“One of the advantages is that I've been a member of the administration,” he said. “The board has been happy with the direction Greta has taken related to student performance, so I plan to continue this, and keep everybody working together to make the district more effective and efficient in the way it goes about its business.”</p><p>Schafer explained why the board chose Bolman.</p><p>“Board members felt that he was the most experienced internal candidate for the interim position.” she said. “Steve told us he is interested in the position, and he meets the requirements for it.</p><p>“One of the reasons he is a strong candidate is that with the uncertainty of the state budget, we want someone as strong in business and administration as possible. It's very important for the district.”</p><p>During Bolman's year of interim service, the board does not plan to hire anyone to replace him as deputy superintendent. He said that in his new role, he still would perform some of this deputy superintendent responsibilities.</p><p>“We also would rearrange our support service staff to cover some of his current responsibilities and might need to hire clerical support. This plan should enable us to save $100,000 to $150,000,” Schafer said.</p><p>Schafer said that the board hopes to have a permanent superintendent in place by July 1, 2012, as soon as Bolman's year as interim superintendent ends. Bolman is interested in the permanent job.</p><p>“If the board thinks that I'm doing a good job and I feel I'm doing a good job, I would be interested in the permanent position,” he said.</p><p>Petaluma resident Carl Wong, who recently retired after serving as superintendent of Sonoma County Schools, has suggested that PCS and the Old Adobe Union School District explore the possibility of merging under one superintendent. Schafer said that the PCS board is open to considering a merger, and she expects to talk soon with Russ Wigglesworth, a member of the Old Adobe Board of Trustees, about the matter.</p><p>(Contact Dan Johnson at dan.johnson@arguscourier.com)</p>