New county school superintendent keeps focus on districts’ needs

You can tell new Pinal County School Superintendent Orlenda Roberts has been busy since her appointment to the position – her calendar is full, and the walls of her office are bare.

Well, except for the plant by her desk: “That was Dr. Harmon’s,” Roberts says with a smile.

Life has been hectic for Superintendent Roberts since the Board of Supervisors acted on the recommendation from a citizen’s committee to appoint her as the replacement for the retiring Dr. Jack Harmon.

“On the day the Supervisors made the appointment (Aug. 1) it was the first day of in-service for our school districts,” Roberts said. “It was a real busy time with the new school year starting. I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground.”

After seven years with the Pinal County School Superintendent’s Office, Roberts takes the helm after holding the position of assistant superintendent. That position kept her busy overseeing the five school programs that fall under the school superintendent’s office: Mary C. O’Brien Elementary, Villa Oasis School, Pinal County Special Education along with the Juvenile and Adult Detention education programs. At one time over 1,000 pupils can be under the jurisdiction of all five programs.

Because of the new school year starting, Roberts is acting both as superintendent and assistant superintendent. Much of her time is spent at the accommodation schools (Mary C. O’Brien and Villa Oasis) making sure everything is going as smoothly as possible.

“I’ve had lots of help from everyone here,” Roberts said. “Dr. Harmon put together a good staff.”

Roberts doesn’t plan on making any major changes to the operations of the School Superintendent’s Office. In fact, she would like things to remain just the way they were under Dr. Harmon.

“I see us keeping our focus of trying to develop a true partnership with the school districts inside the county,” the Superintendent said, regarding the 19 independent districts in Pinal County. “We are here to provide support and address the needs of the districts. I don’t see that changing. Our working philosophy is to design services around our districts’ needs.”
Roberts describes herself as pleasantly surprised with her appointment as the county’s school superintendent, but she knows the position will provide its challenges as well as its rewards.

In the meantime, she hopes to find a few minutes to decorate her new office.