Courtesy of Apple Bite, I bring you News from the West Contra Costa Unified School District, 1108 Bissell Ave. * Richmond, CA 94801-3135 * (510) 231-1100, www.wccusd.k12.ca.us

April 26, 2006 * No. 0506-26 * Contact: Paul Ehara (510) 231-1132

District names new superintendent

At its April 26, 2006 school board meeting, the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) Board of Education named Bruce Harter, Ph.D., as its new superintendent of schools.  Dr. Harter will begin his term July 3, 2006.

“I’m drawn to WCCUSD because the community is so supportive of public education as shown in votes for bond issues over the last few years,” he said.  “The challenges are attractive as well- improving student learning for all in an environment where financial resources are scarce.”

Dr. Harter has been working in the field of education for over 35 years. Since 2001 Dr. Harter has been superintendent at the Brandywine School District in Claymont, Del. that serves 10,700 students.  Before Brandywine, Dr. Harter served as superintendent of the 60,000-student Lee County School District in Fort Myers, Fla. from 1997 to 2001.   His first superintendency was with the Corvallis School District, in Corvallis, Oregon from 1992 to 1997, a district that serves 7,200 students.

Dr. Harter received his Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Curriculum from the University of Colorado in 1990, writing his dissertation on The Use of Diagnostic and Feedback Approaches in a Management and Leadership Development Program for Colorado School Administrators.

Dr. Harter received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Michigan in 1970 with minors in biology and psychology.  He began his career in 1970 as a math and science teacher in the Detroit public schools. In 1975 he received his Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from Eastern Michigan University while serving as a math and science teacher and assistant principal at Willow Run Community Schools in Ypsilanti, Mich.  Over the next 10 years Dr. Harter served as assistant principal or principal at school districts in Paris, Ark., Preston, Iowa, and Commerce City, Colo.  In 1986 he joined the Management Research Group as a consultant in effectiveness analysis, then went on to serve as high school principal and associate superintendent in the 26,000-student Vista (Calif.) Unified School District from 1988-1992.

Dr. Harter and his wife Lee Anna have three children.  Dan works for the National Outdoor Leadership Schools in Alaska, Susan teaches 5th grade in a public school in Brooklyn, New York, and Kyla is a senior at Brandywine High School in Wilmington, Delaware.  Lee Anna, who lived in California for 23 years, is a social worker and a high school counselor.  She also does consulting in leadership, personal development, and conflict resolution.