AUHSD Superintendent to Retire; Replacement Assumes His Role in May

John Stockton, superintendent of the Acalanes Union High School District for the past two years, will retire April 30. The district is negotiating with John Nickerson, associate superintendent, to take over as superintendent. The district hopes to close negotiations to enable Nickerson to begin his tenure May 1.

The retirement was announced at Wednesday’s Acalanes Union High School District board meeting. The board pursued Nickerson, because he had “the desired skill set needed to lead the district,” according to the district’s announcement.

Stockton is retiring after 39 years in California public education, the last two at the helm of the high-school district. During his tenure, the district received approval from the voters for last year’s emergency parcel tax. Stockton will continue with the district until the close of the school year in a part-time, advisory capacity to assist with the transition.

Nickerson holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University, a master’s degree in life sciences from the University of California, Berkeley, and a doctorate from the University of La Verne. He has taught in Kenya, Piedmont and New York City. He has been with the high school district for 15 years in various roles, including Acalanes High School principal, science teacher, associate principal and, most recently, associate superintendent.