Longtime Rancho Santa Fe School District Superintendent to retire July 1

The Rancho Santa Fe School District Board of Trustees announced Jan. 19 the voluntary retirement of Superintendent Lindy Delaney, effective July 1, 2016.

“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to spend my career working on behalf of the children and families of the Rancho Santa Fe School District. This is a very special place,” said Delaney. “Working in partnership with a long line of dedicated and incredible staff, all focused on a mission of delivering academic excellence, character development, and athletic accomplishment, has been beyond rewarding. And to be fortunate enough to do it in a community of passionately engaged parents, so many of whom are willing to invest countless hours and resources in our students, is gratifying.”

First hired as a teacher in 1986 by Dr. R. Roger Rowe, Delaney has spent 30 years with the district as a teacher, coach, and administrator. She has served as superintendent since 2004.

Under her leadership as its chief executive, education, and financial officer, the RSF School District has continued its long-standing tradition of providing students with the strongest possible academic programs, while always remaining in a strong fiscal position. Test scores continually ranked amongst the highest in the state and key programs such as robotics, art, music, drama, technology, and athletics have all been developed and expanded.

In one of the most important moments in the district’s history, Delaney oversaw the complete financing, development, construction, and modernization of the new R. Roger Rowe School campus. The entire project was done during one of the most intensely challenging fiscal environments and was completed on time and on budget.

She has also worked hard to support the ongoing efforts of the RSF Education Foundation, one of the most successful of its kind in the country.

“It is impossible to adequately express just how much Lindy has meant to our school district and to the Rancho Santa Fe community at large,” said RSF School District Board President Tyler Seltzer. “She has been a tremendous leader; committed, unwavering, and passionate in her work on behalf of our students. No matter the issue, no matter the challenge, she has always been there, available, and always with an open door. For 30 years, this school has been a huge part of her life. And it shows, year after year, in our accomplished staff, our beautiful facilities, our incredible parent volunteers, and above all else, in our amazing students. That is her legacy, and she will be deeply missed.”

For the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year, Delaney says she expects it to be business as usual on campus, and remains as committed as always to providing an excellent education for her R. Roger Rowe School students.

“We have much work to do over the next six months and I look forward to the many important projects still to be accomplished prior to the end of the year,” Delaney said. “I am excited about all the fantastic work by our students. And I am even more excited about the bright future of R. Roger Rowe School and the RSF School District.”

The RSF School District Board of Trustees will immediately begin its search for Delaney’s successor.

“On behalf of the entire school board, I would like to emphasize that we are keenly aware of the vitally important place that R. Roger Rowe School holds in the past, present, and future of our community,” said Seltzer. “For that very reason, we understand just how crucial it is to find the right leader as our new superintendent. Over the coming months, we will work tirelessly to find someone worthy of that position, our school, and our community.”

The Board of Trustee members shared the following reflections on Superintendent Delaney.

School Board Vice President Todd Frank:

“Where to begin? Lindy’s competence, dedication and high ethical standards are without question. What is amazing, however, is how personal she was in her dedication to students, families and teachers. This was not an administrator that lived in an ivory tower or hid in an office. Ask anyone who has been through this school over these many, many years. Every one of them knows Lindy and feels that Lindy knows them personally, as well. She has positively changed so many lives over the years, her impact is without measure or equivalent. We will miss her deeply, but her standards of excellence and dedication will live on in all the lives she has changed for the better.”

School Board Clerk Marti Ritto:

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside Superintendent Lindy Delaney these past six years, and I know she will be missed terribly. However, in true Lindy fashion she has already indicated her commitment to helping our school community through this transition. I know that with her help we will find the right candidate who will continue to build upon the remarkable academic achievement and prudent fiscal management that has been a hallmark of Superintendent Delaney’s tenure.”

School Board Member Todd Buchner:

“Lindy has devoted her life to our students,teachers, administrators, and community. You would be hard pressed to find another school superintendent who knows each and every student like she does. I have watched her juggle the demands of making high level decisions in the face of conflicting constituencies while still being involved in day-to-day school activities like standing in carpool line saying good morning to the kids. Lindy is an extraordinary leader, and it has been such an honor and privilege to work with her. She leaves behind an incredible legacy of selflessness, compassion, and engagement.”

Longtime school board member Richard Burdge:

“Lindy has been a big pleasure to work with over the last twelve years. She has done the district enormous benefit and I personally wish her well.”