DOWNEY - Dr. Wendy Doty, the superintendent of the Downey Unified School District since July 2003, announced her retirement effective the end of March 2013 at this week's Board of Education meeting.When she steps down next year, she will be completing 38 years of service to education, most of it serving "at the district (DUSD) and community (Downey) that I love." Holder of a bachelor's in child development from San Diego State University ('74) and two master's degrees, one in education ('78) and the other in reading ('79) from Whittier College, Doty went on to earn her Ed. D. degree in education administration at USC in 1992. Prior to assuming the superintendent's mantle at DUSD in 2003, she served two years in the same capacity at El Segundo Unified School District and three years as assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and personnel for the Laguna Beach Unified School District. Prior to all this, she had charted for herself a productive career as a teacher, program specialist, principal, and director of curriculum and instruction. Along the way, it goes without saying that she received accolades and awards too numerous to mention. "I've had a long and wonderful career," Doty said, "and I've accomplished all that I had hoped to accomplish in my field. To be the DUSD superintendent was my dream job." Doty, who will turn 60 next month, says she is looking forward to the upcoming June marriage of her 31-year old son, Ken Lopour, who is assistant principal at Kenyon High School in Anaheim Hills (Orange Unified School District). She says she has all kinds of future plans after her retirement-read, travel, spend time with family (especially with her 87-year old mom) and friends, continue to explore the world, and otherwise have fun. "I'm looking forward to when I can sleep in in the morning, and not have to drive 100 miles every day to work and back," she said. She lives in Laguna Hills. A search for her replacement will be initiated on Sept. 5 when the DUSD board interviews five executive search firms. The proceedings - which start at 8:30 a.m. - will be open to the public. "The search will be strictly a board-level function," said Roger Brossmer, assistant superintendent of certificated human resources and concurrent Downey mayor.

********** Published: August 23, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 19