NEW EASTSIDE CHIEF VILLA SAYS OAKLAND TENURE WILL HELP AS SUPERINTENDENT.

Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- Roberto Villa says 20 years of working in Oakland public schools will help as he takes the helm of the Eastside Union School District, where the community is changing and the student population is becoming more diverse.

``I think it's a good match in the kinds of skills that I bring in. It's a changing community,'' said Villa, 47. ``I think that's one of the areas I am used to working with, diverse communities and bringing those communities together in terms of a single focus that would be student achievement.

``One of the things I've seen is that regardless of the cultural or linguistic backgrounds of the children and parents, we all want the same thing. We want what's best for our kids. We might not see eye-to-eye on things, but one thing we have in common is we want what's best for our children.''

Villa began work last week as Eastside's new superintendent. His contract runs through June 30, 2009, and pays an annual salary of $120,000.

The board hired him last month after a six-month search to replace ousted Superintendent Greg Riccio.

``I think it's a place that has tremendous potential, and it's small enough to come and make a contribution,'' Villa said. ``The other thing is that it's growing and as I acquire more experience and I grow with the position, I think it's just a great opportunity for me.''

Villa has a bachelor's degree in Chicano Studies from University of California at Berkeley; a master's in educational leadership from California State University, Hayward; and a doctorate in educational policy and planning from the University of Southern California.

Before coming to Eastside, Villa had been principal of an elementary school in the Mountain View School District in El Monte since 2000.

Before that, he worked 20 years in the Oakland Unified School District as teacher, principal and program manager.

Villa, who is married and has three children, lives in Diamond Bar, but plans to relocate to the Antelope Valley area.

``I look forward to working with the entire community,'' he said. ``That's what it will take to make our schools great. Not just the superintendent, but everyone working shoulder-to- shoulder.''

Eastside spent about $8,000 for an executive search team from the California School Boards Association to help look for a new superintendent.

The board voted 4-1, with Crawford dissenting, on June 27 to terminate Riccio and buy out the remaining year of his contract.

In September, the board hired Cynthia Grennan, a 37-year educator from Orange County, to be part-time interim superintendent.

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(color) Roberto Villa, new superintendent of the Eastside district, says he is used to working with ``diverse communities and bringing those communities together in terms of a single focus that would be student achievement.''

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer