Valerie Williams retired as the Superintendent of the Albany Unified School District as of June 28, 2019.

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The Foresthill Union School District Board of Education has announced Jack Kraemer as the new Superintendent/Principal. Trustees ratified his appointment at the June 10 board meeting with a unanimous vote. Kraemer, a Roseville resident, currently serves as the Innovative Schools and Charter Oversight Director for Sacramento City Unified School District and began his new role on July 1, 2019. In his role as Superintendent/Principal, Kraemer will divide his time between two roles. As superintendent, he will serve as the Chief Executive Officer for the district and will be directly responsible to the Board of Education. He will direct, administer and supervise all aspects of district operations and be accountable for the management of district resources. As principal, Kraemer will lead the planning, organizing, controlling and oversight of all instructional activities, extra-curricular events, special programs and site operations at Foresthill Divide School including instructional leadership for staff and the safety and welfare of students. Kraemer earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from California State University, Sacramento, and earned his master’s degree in Education from National University. Kraemer also holds his teaching credential and administrative services credential from National University.

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Central Unified School District is mourning the tragic loss of Kelly Porterfield, the district’s Assistant Superintendent and Chief Business Officer. Under Porterfield’s leadership over the last seven years, the district modernized and upgraded numerous facilities, built an elementary school, started construction on a new high school, and begun early plans for the construction of another elementary school. He is beloved by every employee in the district and his dedication to his family, work, and the Central Unified community make his loss all the more devastating. An ACSA member since 2006, Porterfield was a dedicated member of ACSA’s Business Services Council and was set to serve as president in the 2019-20 year.

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Rudy Gatti, one of the founders of ACSA, passed away on May 29, 2019. In 1971, Gatti was one of the leaders of seven separate organizations that formed the umbrella association that became ACSA.  Gatti began his teaching and administrative career in Hayward Unified, serving the district for 17 years. He was the superintendent of Pleasanton and Amador Valley Joint Union High School District. He served as Superintendent of Santa Clara USD from 1974 to 1989. Gatti was proud to have served as Chair of the ACSA Superintendent Committee. Retiring in 1989, he formed his own search company, RJ Gatti Associates and conducted more than 100 superintendent and administrative searches throughout the state.  In 1987, he received ACSA’s Marcus Foster Memorial Award, and in 1988, he received the Leadership for Learning Award, a national award from the American Association of School Administrators. He was recognized by both the California Senate and Assembly for his leadership in education. Gatti’s dedication to California students and the educational systems that supported them is his professional legacy.