By Jacob Wilson/Garden Grove Journal
Christine Fullerton
Christine Fullerton is the Westminster School District’s new assistant superintendent of business services. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because up until Friday, Fullerton was the district’s assistant superintendent of human resources.
“This is a very good move for us to have [Fullerton] go over to the business side,” Superintendent Richard Tauer said. “She has a background in business and a lot of experience in the school district.”
Fullerton earned a B.A. in business administration and an M.A. in education administration from California State University, Fullerton. This is Fullerton’s sixth job in the WSD. She was a middle school teacher, an assistant principal, a principal and the director of categorical services.
Moving over to business services is about renewing an old interest while staying in a comfortable place.
“I’ve always enjoyed the budget side,” Fullerton said. “This was a perfect time to do it in a district that I knew and have been with for 16 years.”
Fullerton will manage the entire district budget at a time when budget uncertainty and deficits are the norm. But with much of the budget devoted to personnel, Fullerton’s time in human resources gives her a head start.
“She already has a high level of trust between both unions,” Tauer said.
Teachers belong to the Westminster Teachers Association. The California School Employees Association represents other district employees.
The district could face a budget gap of more than $8 million next year if two November tax measures fail.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax measure raises the state sales tax and state income tax for individuals making $250,000 or more. An alternative measure supported by the California PTA raises the state income tax for most residents but doesn’t raise the sales tax.
Tauer has said the district will not lay off employees but across-the-board furlough days and salary cuts may be implemented to help close the gap. The district must negotiate possible cuts with employee groups.
Fullerton takes over for Clark Hampton who joined the Capistrano Unified School District last month. Paul Burkhart, a former assistant superintendent for districts in Anaheim and Fullerton, has filled in on an interim basis. He will likely stay on until a permanent replacement for Fullerton is hired.
