Oak Park district rehires Supt. Tony Knight
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Tony Knight will remain Oak Park Unified School District superintendent for the next four years. The board of education renewed Knight's contract April 17.

Knight, who was named superintendent two years ago, has been a district employee for almost 25 years.

"The board is very pleased with his performance and to reflect that we gave him a four-year contract even though he asked for three," Board President Marie Panec said.

The new contract is effective July 1, 2007. He will make $150,000 a year.

Knight wrote his USC doctorate last year on gifted education. He is a recipient of the California Association for the Gifted 2007 Distinguished Service award.

For earning his PhD, Knight received a $10,000 bonus from the school district plus a 6.25 percent salary increase.

"He was awarded more because of his PhD. That is a policy in California, and it's reflected in this contract renewal," school board member Cindy Vinson said.

"The board looked carefully at other districts. . . . We do not pay more than any other district with his education and experience, and the district's size and achievements," Vinson said.

Panec credited Knight with paying close attention to technology and diversity of instruction and for encouraging teachers to seek professional development outside the district.

Recently, Knight became the target of critics who were upset that he will traveling to England this summer in a trip that is partially paid by the school district. He will attend a fiveday conference on gifted education.

Knight is using personal frequent flyer miles to pay for his airfare. The district will cover the $450 registration fee and the $250 per night hotel room. Knight was chosen to make a presentation at the international meeting.

"The cost of this trip is equal to the cost of a trip to this particular conference held in the United States," Knight said.

Knight graduated in 1979 from Pepperdine University in Malibu with a bachelor's degree in history and education. In 1982 he earned his master's degree in educational administration from California State University, Northridge.

In 1982 he joined OPUSD as a history teacher at Oak View High School, where he became principal in 1986.

Three years later he was appointed Oak Hills Elementary School principal. Under his guidance Oak Hills earned recognition as a California Distinguished School, a National Blue Ribbon school and a National Blue Ribbon Special Emphasis in Technology school.

In July 2002 Knight moved to the district level as director of curriculum and instruction, helping formulate school district curriculum. A year later he became assistant superintendent of educational services and certified personnel.

Knight lives in Studio City with his wife and daughter.

In his two years as superintendent Knight said he is proud of several accomplishments, including Oak Park's improved services for special needs children and the district's focus on "differentiated" instruction."All children are challenged appropriately at their level each day," he said.

Knight also wants Oak Park to become a "technology model" district.

"The voters of Oak Park generously passed Measure C6 last June and we are very excited about implementing a new model for technology that will be awesome and that will greatly improve the entire learning experience for our students, K-12," Knight said.

He also plans to work with teachers to "provide more authentic, constructive hands-on lessons for our kids."

"There has been such a focus on standards and testing in education over the last 10 years that I think we need to remember that the best way to learn is by doing and being involved in meaningful projects and working with others," Knight said.