Stekol leaves, Wesley picked for Asst. Supe.

Dr. Nicole Wesley has been appointed as the Redondo Beach Unified School District’s new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, taking the reins from Dr. Tom Stekol. Stekol, who was hired in 2012, is leaving to become the Deputy Superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District. Wesley was appointed during the RBUSD’s Board of Education meeting on Oct. 23.

Wesley will assume Stekol’s position on Nov. 1. She has worked with the district since 2004 and was the Principal of Redondo Union High School before moving to the District Office as Executive Director of Student Services two years ago.

“Nikki is a proven leader, manager and relationship builder, and she understands both Old and New Redondo,” said RBUSD Superintendent Dr. Steven Keller. Wesley, he said, respects the traditions and history of Redondo Beach as well as the passion held by new-coming families to have competitive, top-level schools.

Wesley was the only candidate Keller submitted for the board to consider.

“The best way to say it is, if I got hit by a car, I think whoever was in this position would be making the same decision,” Keller said. “This is earned — this is someone who is what I call the future, is the now and represents what the future holds.”

“At the rate, she is going, soon she’ll be thinking about her next promotion in the district, which has a bullseye on Dr. Keller,” RBUSD Board President David Witkin said.

Stekol, Keller said, changed the way district finds staff that fits its culture.

“Tom definitely brought systems and an HR skill set that moved our district forward. He cleaned up our systems for on-boarding people — how they apply, how we screen, and how we interview,” Keller said.

Keller also credited Stekol for his negotiation skills, building relationships and focus on bargaining with the district’s labor unions.

Representatives for Redondo Beach Teachers Association and California School Employees Association thanked Stekol for his work – even if they got off to rocky starts during his tenure.

“You’re a man of integrity and honesty. When we came to an agreement, we could be sure that you would follow through,” said CSEA Chapter 57 President Kenny Pearson.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful working here for five years with all of you,” Stekol said. “I’m moving onto a bigger district with more challenges, but Redondo will always have a special place in my heart.”

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