Assistant superintendent leaves Las Virgenes

Stephen Hanke Dr. Stephen Hanke, assistant superintendent of personnel for the Las Virgenes Unified School District, has accepted the position of superintendent for the Dublin Unified School District.

Located about 40 miles from San Francisco, the city of Dublin shares the tri-valley school district with the cities of Pleasanton and Livermore. The district includes five elementary schools, two middle schools, a comprehensive high school and a continuation high school.

"Steve will be missed," Las Virgenes Assistant Superintendent of Education Joe Nardo said. "He is a great problem solver and his leadership has helped the district move in a positive direction in several areas of personnel. He will make a great superintendent."

Hanke's career in education has spanned more than 30 years. He has served in four school districts, and launched his career as a teacher. He taught middle school and high school and served as the principal of a middle school.

His administrative positions included assistant superintendent of educational services, followed by his six-year career in Las Virgenes as assistant superintendent of personnel.

He also served as an adjunct professor in California's state college system and at California Lutheran University, teaching law, personnel and leadership.

Hanke, 57, is well prepared to take on the job challenge of superintendent, and expects that the Dublin district may face some of the same issues as Las Virgenes.

"My job in Las Virgenes has prepared me to problem-solve, to work with people to find solutions to issues facing our schools, and (I've learned) a lot about school employment law," Hanke said.

Ensuring that all students achieve and reach their fullest potential is a common goal all schools share.

"That means raising the bar and making sure that we increase the relevance of our instructional program so that all students succeed," Hanke said.

While Hanke looks forward to holding the top job in the Dublin district, he said he will miss working in Las Virgenes.

"I will miss a lot of things about Las Virgenes," Hanke said. "It's a wonderful school district that really does put the needs of students first.

" Probably the thing I will miss the most is the people. Our teachers, classified staff, parents, business partners, community members and administrators are all exceptional in what they do. There is a fine collaborative team spirit in Las Virgenes . . . one that is hard to find and one that I will miss.

"I am proud to have been a part of a team of people that value and support each other," he said.

"The relationships that I have been a part of have made a difference in (Las Virgenes) and in the lives of our students. I will remember the collaborative, problem solving, solution seeking spirit that we have developed together," said Hanke.

"I am happy to see a person with intelligence, compassion and humility make it to the top," said Las Virgenes board member Terilyn Finders. "Our public schools and our children's education are better off when people like Steve are in leadership roles."

A single father with three adult children, Hanke said he looks forward to moving closer to his daughter, son-in-law and grandchild, who live in nearby Walnut Creek.

"I will have the opportunity to spend more time with them," he said. "I am looking forward to that."