Benjamin H. Picard, the superintendent of Sunnyvale School District, will retire at the end of June, setting off a public process to select a new head of the 6,600-student school district.
Picard, who was unanimously appointed superintendent in 2009, began working for the district in 1987 as an associate superintendent for personnel and business services.
“It has been incredible to see teachers and staff in action, connecting with and supporting students over the years. It has been inspiring to see students grow in mind and heart. And during my time here, I have seen many of our former students return years later as parents with students of their own,” Picard said in an announcement to district employees.
The school district announced Picard’s retirement, effective June 30, in a release last Friday. The Board of Education will meet at a special meeting on Jan. 9 at 5 p.m., at 819 West Iowa Avenue, to meet with a consultant and determine the criteria and timeline for the selection of a new superintendent.
According to a proposed timeline posted to the meeting agenda, the district tentatively plans to accept applications until the end of February and approve a final contract for the new superintendent by May. The next superintendent would start on July 1, according to the timeline.
In the 1990s, Picard was involved in the initial planning committee for a public-private partnership to build the Columbia Neighborhood Center, which delivers recreational, health and education services to students and their families. More recently, he led discussions for a new branch library with a similar concept as a partnership between the city of Sunnyvale and Fremont Union High School District, according to a district release.
Before coming to Sunnyvale, Picard, a Nebraska native, was a teacher and administrator in Nebraska from 1972 to 1987.
Picard plans to retire in Sunnyvale with his wife Susanna, and remain involved in the community, according to the district release.