Colleagues Compliment Retiring Superintendent

Arthur J. "Skip" Roland,

superintendent of Brea Olinda Unified School District (BOUSD) since December 2007, is retiring this month.

According to Jerry Halpin, the principal of Brea Olinda High school, Dr. Roland was a great leader. Principal Halpin and Dr. Roland have worked together since before Roland was the superintendent, cooperating closely on major projects such as supervising new construction, creating the Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) yard, outfitting the Global Information Technology Academy (GITA) classroom, and repairing damage incurred by fires and earthquakes.

"I have mixed feelings about Dr. Roland retiring. I am happy for him [but] I have loved having him as a mentor for the past twelve years. He will be very difficult to

replace," Halpin told JSR.

"With his integrity, Dr. Roland has led the school with the motto of keeping the needs of students' first," Halpin continued, "even after catastrophes such as the fires about six years ago and the earthquake a couple years ago."

Nadene Davis, a BOUSD executive assistant, told JSR, "Dr. Roland always sees our challenges as 'opportunities' to promote a positive culture by maintaining a leadership style grounded in fiscal

responsibility, open communications, and hard work."

She added, "His commitment to our mutual success and his unwavering faith in our future makes him a great leader."

Carrie Flanders, a BOUSD school board member, told JSR, "He is a genuine and honest person [with] the patience of saint and the ability to explain the most difficult issue in a way everyone can understand. He is a genius and... a true

educator."

Dr. Roland served as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services prior to becoming Superintendent. He has also worked as a history and math teacher, counselor, activities director, coach, cheerleading advisor, assistant principal, and principal. Recently, he received the Outstanding

Contribution to Education Award from the Orange County Department of Education.

"I have had a truly blessed career where every job I have held has been, and remains, my favorite job," Roland told JSR in an interview. "All were the best jobs because I believe I provided value to others every day, in every position."

Though he's leaving the superintendent role, Roland's journey in education continues. He currently teaches in the Transformational Leadership doctoral program at Brandman University in Irvine and says that he will continue to do so.

On May 21, BOUSD announced its selection of Dr. Brad Mason, currently an assistant superintendent in Redlands, to replace Roland effective July 1.

Choha Kim/Grade 10, Brea Olinda High School