Sausalito School Shake-up - Marin IJ - Aug 25, 2005 - By Carla Bova, Marin IJ Reporter

Sausalito school shake-up
By Carla Bova

Sausalito Marin City School District is searching for a new superintendent after Rose Marie Roberson was placed on paid administrative leave.
School officials gave no explanation as to why the district chief is gone, saying only that personnel matters are private and that school would start as scheduled on Monday with no change.

"We are all preparing, getting ready, staff is currently meeting and training," said board president George Stratigos. "The district is in good hands with a strong staff."

The district, which had 263 students in the 2004-05 school year, includes Bayside Elementary School, Martin Luther King Jr. Academy and the Willow Creek Academy charter school.

Stratigos announced after a closed session last week that Roberson was on paid administrative leave and that Mary Buttler of the Marin County Office of Education would be "assuming the duties of the superintendent."

Buttler is assistant superintendent of the county Office of Education and "on contract" as superintendent of the Lagunitas School District.

Buttler said the school board requested assistance for superintendent services from the county office and as a result she will provide interim superintendent services.

"This is a process that allows the district to transition from Dr. Roberson to the person they will elect to hire in the future," Buttler said. "The board made their decision on Aug. 18 to place Dr. Roberson on paid administrative leave and I have not had the opportunity to meet with the board to make plans for their search process."

The board will begin the process of selecting a new superintendent in the next 60 days, Stratigos said.

Roberson's salary was $118,435 for the past two years.

"She is on paid administrative leave and until that status changes, we will pay her her regular salary," district business manager Margaret Bonardi said.

Roberson has served as superintendent since 1999. Prior to that she was assistant superintendent for the Culver City Unified School District.

Roberson began her career in education about 30 years ago as an elementary school teacher in New York City. She earned a master's degree in reading and bilingual education from Fordham University. In 1991, she received her doctorate in public administration from U.S. International University in San Diego.

In 2000, teachers gave a vote of no-confidence to Roberson and a principal.

Buttler said she will help the Sausalito Marin City district search for a new superintendent and will provide all superintendent services until the appointment is made.

"I really have just come to the district and am trying to identify the priorities," Buttler said. "The Sausalito Marin City leadership team is outstanding and the work they have done is to be respected for its thoroughness. Because of their ability to work as a team, school will begin on schedule, everything in place.

"There should be no impact on the opening of school."