SUNDBERG TO TAKE GOCKE'S TOP ROLE IN SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- After 11 years as superintendent of the Lancaster School District, Steve Gocke is stepping down at the end of November.

Gocke, first hired by the district as a teacher in 1977, will leave his post Nov. 30. Howard Sundberg, currently assistant superintendent of educational services, will become superintendent.

``It's obvious I've spent all but seven years of my career here for a reason. It's a great place,'' Gocke said. ``It's just a really good operation and a good bunch of people. That's why you stay in a place that long.''

The district board at Tuesday's meeting approved a contract for Sundberg running from December through June 2010. His annual salary was set at $148,000.

Gocke, who for a while did double duty as superintendent and assistant superintendent for business services, earns $164,000.

Sundberg was the only applicant considered, officials said. Board members decided not to conduct an outside search.

``He's been in the district for a long time. We felt he was ready for the job,'' trustee Keith Giles said.

``The board has been deliberating on what direction to take and they made a decision, and it's a good one,'' Gocke said. ``They decided they had a good inside person and decided that's what they are going with.''

Giles said Sundberg's salary was intentionally set lower than Gocke's.

``Dr. Sundberg is starting out. I'm sure he'll be great and will be just as experienced as Dr. Gocke. We will be working him up to the big salary,'' Giles said.

Sundberg, 55, has been employed by the district for 33 years. Assistant superintendent for the last nine years, he previously worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of curriculum and instruction, and director of special programs.

Sundberg said he was approached by board members asking if he was interested in becoming superintendent, and he was.

``I'm obviously very loyal to this district. I think we have a wonderful staff -- teaching, classified and administrative,'' Sundberg said. ``It's an opportunity for me to continue things that Steve Gocke has set in motion here.''

Sundberg obtained a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Minnesota, a master's in educational administration from Azusa Pacific University and a doctorate in educational policy and organization from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

He has been married to his wife, Elizabeth, for 31 years. She is a professor of registered nursing at Antelope Valley College. They have four sons: Eric, in his third year at Stanford Medical School; Michael, a senior at California State University, Long Beach; Jonathan, a junior at California Lutheran University; and Adam, a sophomore at Lancaster High School.

Gocke became superintendent in 1995, replacing David Alvarez, who left to take a job with the Chino Unified School District.

Gocke came to the district in 1977 from the Simi Valley Unified School District, where he taught for seven years. In Lancaster, he served as a resource specialist teacher at Monte Vista School and implemented the first Antelope Valley class for severely emotionally disturbed students at El Dorado School.

He then served two years as assistant principal at Park View Intermediate School. He became district director of pupil personnel services in 1980, and he was promoted in 1991 to assistant superintendent for business services.

Gocke, who runs for exercise and fun, plans to do some traveling after retiring.

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