4 Longtime School Administrators Leaving Palo Alto School District

From the Palo Alto Unified School District:

Four school administrators with nearly 100 years of combined teaching and administrative experience have announced their retirement from Palo Alto Unified School District. 

Ohlone Principal Bill Overton, Fairmeadow Principal Gary Prehn, Adult School Principal Dr. Kara Rosenberg, and Jordan Assistant Principal Ellie Slack will be retiring at the end of June 2014.  

All four were teachers in the district prior to becoming administrators. 

Overton taught a variety of grade levels in Sequoyah and Green Gables Elementary Schools for six years and at Ohlone Elementary School over twenty-four years before becoming Principal in 2009.  

He shared, “I'm proudest of maintaining my energy and passion for kids and their school experiences and have always been proud to be a part of PAUSD and this organization’s tireless focus to do what's best for kids.” 

Prehn served both Juana Briones and Escondido Elementary schools as principal prior to becoming the principal at Fairmeadow Elementary School in 2011.  

He served as a classroom and elementary Physical Education (PE) teacher at Escondido, Loma Vista, and El Carmelo Elementary schools and taught English and Social studies at Jordan Middle prior to stepping into administration. 

Prehn commented on his time at PAUSD, “It has been such a unique and amazing journey, but I feel it is the right time in my career to close one chapter in my life and open another.” 

Rosenberg started in the district as a parent in the Preschool Family program with her one-month old son in 1978 and was then hired the following year in Adult Education.  

Rosenberg has led a variety of programs at the Adult School, including English as a Second Language, prior to becoming the Principal of the Adult School in 2000.

 “It has been a pleasure to expand what we offer to the community and to work toward excellence in all of our programs. I am proud of the teachers and the office staff, all of whom have made this happen,” shared Rosenberg.                                   

Slack started her career teaching mathematics at a Fremont High School in Fremont-Union High School District in 1969 and then moved to Southern California where she taught at La Canada High School, Los Angeles Baptist High School, and Village Christian School for nineteen years before joining Palo Alto Unified School District in 1994.  

She continued teaching mathematics at Palo Alto High and Jordan Middle School for nearly sixteen years prior to becoming Assistant Principal at Jordan Middle School in 2011.  

Slack stated, “I was born and raised in Palo Alto and attended Palo Alto schools.  My favorite part of my career here was teaching Mathematics to thousands of students.”  

Dr. Skelly commented, "The departure of these four outstanding leaders leaves a hole in our administration team.  We are sad to see them go, but wish them well on this new adventure.  Their positive impact will be felt for years to come."