Leaving on his terms

By Emily Richmond

Friday, May 26, 2006 | 7:15 a.m.

Agustin Orci is retiring as deputy superintendent of administrative and management services for the Clark County School District.

Work history:

Education:

2000-2005: Deputy superintendent of instruction, Clark County School District

1999-2000: Executive director of training and services for Bally's and Paris Las Vegas

1996-1999: Director of education, Mirage and Bellagio

1994-1995: Superintendent of schools, San Antonio

1988-1993: Superintendent of schools, Tempe, Ariz.

1984-1988: Associate superintendent of instruction, Clark County School District

1969-1984: Administrator and teacher, Clark County School District

1965-1969: Reading consultant, elementary teacher, Douglas, Ariz.

Awards:

National Board of Directors - Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents

Education:

Master's in education, University of Arizona, 1967

Educational doctorate, UNLV, 1980

Before withdrawing his name in December, veteran Clark County School District administrator Agustin Orci was considered a logical front-runner to be the next superintendent. But Orci believed the School Board was searching for a fresh face from outside the system.

Instead, the School Board offered the job to Walt Rulffes, former chief financial officer and the interim superintendent, after finalist Eric Nadelstern of New York City dropped out.

Orci was appointed by Rulffes to oversee administrative and management services, retaining the $200,748 annual salary he had earned during his eight-month tenure as interim co-superintendent.

With the exception of a four-year stint in the private sector, Orci's 40-year career has focused on public education in Texas, Arizona and Nevada. He has spent about 25 years in the Clark County School District, beginning as an elementary school classroom teacher in 1969.

"Augie" will retire from the district next month. He says there are no hard feelings on his part and that his decision to step down doesn't reflect dissatisfaction with either his new boss or the job duties to which he was reassigned. Orci's retirement is "well deserved," Rulffes told the Sun. "Dr. Orci is an expert trainer, and I imagine he'll be in demand by the local universities as well."

Do you regret withdrawing from the superintendent search?

No, not at all. I've been a superintendent for almost 10 years. The truth of the matter is, I just didn't want to be in that world again. The circumstances surrounding the superintendent search were so political and so negative I chose not to participate.

Is there anything you would be doing differently than Rulffes?

Of course! (laughs) I better not say. Every person is entitled to approach the superintendency as they see fit, and Dr.Rulffes is no exception.

Dr. Rulffes is interviewing candidates for chief academic officer, a new position that encompasses many of your prior responsibilities as deputy superintendent of instruction. Any suggestions for your successor?

My advice would be to continue to build on the things we know have worked, that are in the process of bearing fruit over the long term. For example, the continuation of the full-day kindergarten program is absolutely critical to this district Full-day kindergarten is in about 75 schools when it should be in 175 schools. And that piecemeal approach is the greatest regret that I have about what has happened to this district historically over the last 25 years. You can lay blame directly at the feet of a state Legislature, which has not recognized explosive growth and the cost of doing business.

There's been some criticism of Rulffes for fast-tracking his "empowerment schools" initiative, which will give principals and teachers at four elementary schools more authority over daily operations in exchange for greater accountability. Parents say they should have been consulted before the schools were chosen. What feedback are you hearing from the community?

I spoke to a parent in one of the empowerment schools who was with a few of the teachers from Rose Warren Elementary School. They were giddy about the potential for improving instruction and doing what's right for that particular community... The decision, although hurried, was the right decision.

It has been suggested some of the haste was to get the ball rolling in advance of the 2007 legislative session, at which a group of community business leaders are expected to lobby for greater autonomy at local school sites. Will six months of data be enough to sway lawmakers that the district is on the right track?

There needs to be some accountability information available to the Legislature so that they can see they need to be funding these types of programs. We want them to recognize good practices, like they did with the full-day kindergarten program.

Clark County School Board Trustee Larry Mason suggested the district's English Language Learner program might perform better if it had its own deputy superintendent. Do you agree?

That won't necessarily solve the problem. The reason it's (the ELL program) termed inadequate is because it's underfunded. In this district, 35 percent of the kids require services. Our Legislature for all intents and purposes has not recognized the demographic changes that are occurring. What's happening today is we're finally getting ready to pay the price for that historical inattention that the Legislature has shown to this community and to this state.

When students and parents have shown up at School Board meetings to air complaints, the trustees have often asked you to meet with the individuals and assess their concerns. How high is the public's level of dissatisfaction with the district?

If you're using the people who show up at board meetings as a barometer, then (the assumption) is invalid. Over the last five years (since former Superintendent Carlos Garcia reorganized the district into five geographic regions), the number of parent concerns that reach the board level or even the central office level has dramatically reduced. That's because the problems are being resolved where they should be, closest to the classroom. Some people just can't take no for an answer.

As you reflect on your more than two decades in Clark County, what are you most proud of?

Full-day kindergarten is a tremendous victory for all of us. The outcome is so positive, in terms of assessments as well as the responses of parents, teachers and principals. We're optimistic the Legislature will fully fund it statewide for all students.

What's next for you?

I've been contacted for several superintendent positions - San Antonio, Galveston (Texas), Pueblo (Colo.). But I would rather stay here and be with my family and my grandkids, so I'll be doing some private consulting. First I'm going to the beach in California and relax. I've spent 26 years of my life in this School District. It's been good to me, it's been good to my family and I will always be proud to say I was an employee of the CCSD.