AUHSD Superintendent to Retire; Replacement Assumes His Role in May

John Stockton, superintendent of the Acalanes Union High School District for the past two years, will retire on April 30. The District is negotiating with John Nickerson, who is currently the associate superintendent of the district, to take over as superintendent. The district hopes to close negotiations to enable Dr. Nickerson to begin his tenure on May 1, 2011.

The retirement was announced at last night’s Acalanes Union High School District Board meeting. The board, upon hearing of Stockton’s retirement, chose to pursue Nickerson, believing he had “the desired skill set needed to lead the District,” according to the District’s announcement.

Stockton retires after 39 years in California public education, the last two at the helm of the high school district. During his tenure, the high school district pursued and received approval from the voters for last year’s emergency parcel tax. Stockton will continue with the district until the close of the school year in a part-time, advisory capacity to assist with the transition.

Nickerson holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard University, a master’s degree in Life Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley, and a doctorate from the University of La Verne. He has taught in Kenya, Piedmont and New York City. He has been with the high school district for 15 years in various roles, including principal of Acalanes High School, science teacher, associate principal and, most recently, associate superintendent.