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By Jorge Casuso

May 21 -- Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Dianne Talarico is the top choice to head a public school district in Northern California and could leave the post she has held for two years by July 1, The Lookout has learned.

School Board president Oscar de la Torre confirmed the rumor that quickly circulated among district activists after Talarico reportedly broke the news at a PTA Council meeting Tuesday afternoon.

"Nothing is official at this point," de la Torrre told The Lookout. "We won't know what her decision will be until early or mid June.

"In any case, she has committed to me personally that whatever happens, she will see our schools through graduation," he said.

Talarico has had several interviews with the small district in Northern California that has fewer than 2,500 students, and will likely be offered the job, informed sources said.

"She'll be closer to her family in Northern California," de la Torre said.

Talarico’s departure would mark the second time a top administrator leaves as the 2008 school year nears an end.

Deputy Superintendent Tim Walker, who is at the center of a firestorm over special education settlement agreements, resigned his post under a settlement with the District approved by the School Board on May 1. ("Walker Resigns Post Amidst Special Ed Controversy," May 2, 2008)

Since taking the helm in July 2006, Talarico has steered the district during tumultuous times that have seen the sudden departure of District CFO Winston Braham in 2006 and a brewing controversy over the District's use of settlement agreements with parents of Special Education students, a policy that was instituted by the previous administration.

Confidentiality clauses used in both cases led to charges that there was a “lack of transparency” in the District and spurred the council to withhold City funding until policy changes were made. ("School Board Imposes Strict Moratorium on Confidentiality Clauses," May 19, 2008)

During Talarico’s tenure, voters also approved a measure in February that renews two existing parcel taxes that were due to expire and the District continued to rank favorably among the public school systems in the State.

Talarico -- who as superintendent of Canton, Ohio schools was credited with turning around the system and boosting student achievement -- was tapped in July 2006 after an aggressive recruiting effort by the School Board to replace outgoing superintendent Dr. John Deasy. ("New Superintendent Brings Fresh Outlook to District," July 21, 2006)

If Talarico is tapped for the new post, it will be a homecoming of sorts to Northern California, where she was a special education teacher and top-level school administrator in San Francisco.