Petaluma schools chief Bolman to exit when contract expires

Petaluma City Schools Superintendent Steve Bolman will be leaving the district when his contract expires in June. Bolman made his announcement in an e-mail that went out Tuesday.

“The timing just seems right for me personally and right for the district,” Bolman said. “The board was very willing to work with me on a contract extension, but I felt personally there are few things I need to address. I’ve enjoyed seeing where the board was 23 years ago and where it is now. I’m very proud of how far we’ve come.”

He said he doesn’t have any firm plans for the future but is considering doing consulting.

Bolman has been with the Petaluma City Schools District for 23 years serving as assistant superintendent of business, deputy superintendent of business and administration. He was named superintendent four years ago, and helped the Petaluma district weather a tremendous financial storm.

“He was the right man at the right time with the right skill set to get us through that period,” said Petaluma City Schools Board President Michael Baddeley. “Steve is one of the recognized experts in the state on school finances and budget.”

Bolman said in his announcement that the district’s ability to survive the state’s financial problems was the result of cooperation from teachers and other district employees. “Petaluma City Schools managed this difficult time better than most districts due to the strong relationships that allowed the district’s budget committee, made up of experienced representatives of the Petaluma Federation of Teachers, CSEA, confidential employees and administrators to recommend virtually every adjustment to the district’s budget that was approved by the board,” he said.

However since July, as the state’s economy improved, the district has been involved in a contentious contract dispute with the Petaluma Federation of Teachers that has led to a state mediator being brought in. Bolman said the contract dispute did not factor into his decision to leave the district. “That is all part of doing business,” he explained.

“While we take time to commend Steve for all that he has done for our district, we must also move forward to select our next superintendent,” the board president said. “We will be undertaking a comprehensive search to hire a new superintendent.”

Bolman’s annual salary is $170,396.