GALT, CA (MPG) - Lisa Pettis, outgoing superintendent for the Galt Joint Union High School District, is wrapping up a 34-year education career in about a month.

Pettis recently sat down with the Herald to reflect on her overall career and her three years as superintendent. She emphasized achievements in alternative education and discussed the hard decisions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pettis noted that she wanted more time for her husband, also recently retired from education; her parents, for whom she is a caregiver; and her adult children.

“I’ve given 34 years of education, and to education, and (it is) time for me to give back to my family,” Pettis said.

Pettis’ last day as superintendent is June 30, and her successor, Anna Trunnell, will take over on July 1.

Pettis’ education career began with 10 years as a classroom teacher. She then spent 17 years as a K-8 principal. For about two years, she worked at the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

Then, she shifted to the Galt high school district, working as director of educational options. In this position, she oversaw continuation school, expulsions and applications for Career and Technical Education Grants.

In 2021, following a period as interim superintendent, Pettis was appointed to the permanent position.

Asked about her accomplishments in eight years at the district, Pettis pointed to the revitalization of Estrellita High School, saying it has been a focus of hers since her time in educational options.

“When I first arrived here eight years ago, Estrellita had gone from a school of 250-plus students down to nine students,” as well as one teacher. “And I knew from my background in (alternative education) that that didn’t look right to me, and that students learn differently. They need different settings to learn, and it was a goal of mine to build that school back up.”

She said the school is one position away from being fully staffed, with a capacity of 75 students. The addition of a math teacher will bring the capacity up to 100.

“It’s nice to see Estrellita grow to what it once was and to see the number of graduates coming from there, and to see the new programs that our principal (Joe Schallberger) has brought in for those students,” Pettis said.

The support of the board and the efforts of district staff made accomplishments like that possible, Pettis emphasized.

A major challenge of Pettis’ time as superintendent was the COVID-19 pandemic, which was ongoing at the time she took office. The district faced quarantine, masking and vaccine mandates from the state and pushback against the measures from many parents.

In October 2021, months into Pettis’ first school year at the helm, a protest on C Street against mandatory coronavirus vaccines for K-12 students was coupled with parents keeping their children out of school. The following February, some students protested mask requirements.

Pettis recalled that when she had accepted the position of superintendent, a mentor had asked her whether she wanted to be superintendent during the pandemic. 

At the time, Pettis said she thought she would be OK.

“Coming out of that pandemic was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced as an administrator,” Pettis said. “And looking back, I had no idea how hard it would be.

“And it was trying to do what was best for students and the staff teaching those students, and at the same time following the mandates from the state, and trying to navigate the different beliefs that were out there, all while trying to keep students and staff safe. The hardest challenge out of everything,” Pettis continued.

Pettis highlighted the district’s actions as in-person instruction resumed, which included the creation of a mental health and substance abuse program to provide counseling for students.

Pettis said another challenge of her tenure was overseeing layoffs, which she said were necessary to bring the district’s staffing level back in line with its student numbers.

Pettis said budget troubles caused staff to examine the district’s staff-to-student ratio for the first time in a long time: “To my surprise, we were overstaffed by a lot.”

The district now has a goal of monitoring staffing levels, Pettis said, in order to prevent a similar situation in the future.

Of her philosophy as superintendent, Pettis said she involves herself in multiple aspects of district operations.

“I need to lead by example, but I also feel like leading by example means getting in the trenches with the people that are doing the work,” Pettis said. “Yes, I can oversee that work, but in order for me to truly know what the program is about or what is happening at the school sites, I need to be involved in that.”

Pettis also said it is important to praise staff for their work.

“I feel like it doesn’t matter what position you’re in in the district; we’re all working for the same common goal, and that’s what’s best for students. So if that means I get my hands dirty and help in all the planning, so be it. That’s my job, and I’ve loved doing it for 34 years.”