Schools Chief Announces Plan to Retire : Education: Supt. Eugene Tucker says he will pursue a writing career. He has been involved with schools for 40 years--five as superintendent.

By BERNICE HIRABAYASHI

Nov. 21, 1991 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Santa Monica schools Supt. Eugene Tucker, credited with improving teacher morale and strengthening teamwork in the district, is retiring to pursue a writing career.

Tucker, 62, announced his plans at Monday’s school board meeting, saying that after 40 years in public education--five as superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District--he is ready to pursue other interests.

“I’d like to do some writing in the professional field,” he said, “and the nature of my work just doesn’t give me time to be reflective and thoughtful and to spend the kind of time that serious writing takes.”

Tucker, who came to Santa Monica in 1986 after serving as superintendent of the ABC Unified School District in Cerritos, said he plans to write about issues facing public education. He will target professional journals and the editorial pages of newspapers.

He will also continue teaching part time at UCLA, where he helps students attain their administrative credential in education. He plans to add a course on urban education this spring.

Board members, administrators and teachers had high praise for Tucker. Board President Patricia Hoffman credited him with turning around teacher morale after he took over.

“The atmosphere was really stagnant,” she said. “There was declining enrollment, facilities were in disrepair. Morale was low due to budget cuts . . . and a perceived lack of support from the district level.”

“Dr. Tucker brought the district back to a kind of glory that was going on in the ‘50s in this district,” added Ronne Fonfa, president of Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Union. Another accomplishment of his tenure was a strengthened relationship between the community and the district, demonstrated by the passage of a parcel tax and $75 million in bonds to rehabilitate aging school buildings. The city of Santa Monica gave the schools $2 million this year and gave $1.5 million for two consecutive years previous to that.

Principals in the district commended Tucker for his support.

Will Rogers Elementary School Principal Juli DiChiro said she chose Santa Monica four years ago because of Tucker.

“I was looking for a superintendent whom I could respect and work for,” she said. “He has a wonderful leadership style. He allows the school site the autonomy needed to be successful, yet he is highly supportive. It’s the best possible combination.”

Board members said they have known for several months that Tucker was considering retirement.

“He’s an A-plus superintendent,” Hoffman said. “We wish we could have him longer. But this seems to be the right thing for him.”

The retirement will not take effect until Aug. 28, 1992. Board members plan to begin the search for a new superintendent next month and hope to hire one by April. Tucker pledged to help the new superintendent get acclimated when he or she takes over the post July 1.