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PUSD gives nod to new assistant superintendent
Former Lodi Unified administrator hired

by Glenn Wohltmann

The Pleasanton school board has hired a former assistant superintendent at the Lodi school district to replace its Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Cindy Galbo, who retires at the end of June.

Odie Douglas, 54, was officially hired by the school board at its meeting Tuesday night. Until recently Douglas was second in command at Lodi Unified School District as assistant superintendent of secondary education. He was given a two-year contract with Pleasanton, starting at $162,340, plus $3,450 in stipends for a 220-day work year, with 18 sick days.

He was earning $164,000 at Lodi, according to published reports.

Douglas, who has a doctorate, was a finalist in 2010 for the superintendent's post at Stockton Unified, and also interviewed for superintendent in the Natomas Unified School District.

He was hired from Elk Grove Unified School District as Lodi's associate superintendent in 2005. His position was changed to assistant supervisor for middle and high schools in a 2010 reshuffling as Lodi streamlined services and cut jobs.

The Stockton Record said he filed a request for reassignment in March when the district changed its focus from college preparatory to career and technical education.

Published reports said Douglas was "outspoken" about his search for a superintendent position following that restructuring.

"Douglas ... is making no secret of his search for administrative jobs outside of Lodi Unified," the Lodi News-Sentinel said on May 16.

Although he'll officially start on July 1, Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi said he'll work with Galbo to begin transitioning into the new job before that.

Douglas did not attend Tuesday night's school board meeting, although Ahmadi promised to introduce him at a future meeting.