ORANGE : Acting Supt. Lauded, New One Welcomed

The Board of Education said farewell to acting Supt. Gretchen Hanson last week and welcomed Robert L. French, who will assume the same role.

“You have enriched the lives of 26,000 students with grace and courage at times and professionalism as well,” Board President Maureen Aschoff told Hanson, who leaves today to marry and join her husband in Redding.

French, an assistant dean at the University of Southern California’s School of Education, will move into Hanson’s office July 6.

The district, which has been without a permanent superintendent since 1991, lost its interim superintendent in April when Marilyn J. Corey resigned. Hanson became the ninth person to head the district since 1989.

Controversy has plagued the district for years. In May, a two-week strike by non-teaching staff played havoc with the district’s bus and child-care systems. A $2-million budget deficit may result in the elimination of bus service for high school students and another attempt to cut benefits for non-teaching employees and reduce the number of staffers.

Recently, the board was faced with a sexual harassment suit against three top administrators filed last December. The administrators filed a countersuit against the district and Corey resigned in April after fighting with board members over payments for attorneys involved in the suit.

But French, in his first public appearance at Thursday’s meeting, told board members he was honored to be chosen for the post.

“I’ve been aware of the reputation this school district has had as one of the finest in Orange County,” he said. Later, when asked about some of the controversy surrounding the district and the board, he smiled and said, “We all have challenges.”

French began his career in 1956 as a chemistry teacher in the Whittier Union High School District. He went on to serve in numerous administrative posts, including counselor and principal.

French has served as superintendent of districts in Beverly Hills and Piedmont, an Oakland suburb, according to a biography he distributed at the meeting. He holds three degrees from USC: a doctorate in education, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in science. A Los Angeles native, French grew up in Alhambra.

Aschoff said that the board selected French on the strength of recommendations from two education consultants and the “personal chemistry” board members felt with him.

“He had a lot of compassion and experience,” she said. “He seemed like a college professor guiding us through some difficult times.”