Castro Valley School District Secretary Steps Down After 34 Years

Referred to as "the jewel of the " and "the queen" due to her British background, district secretary Jean Storar is stepping down from her throne to retire.

CVUSD board members and employees honored her at Thursday's school board meeting, showering her with compliments, well-wishes and bouquets of flowers for dedicating 34 years of service.

She started off as a substitute teacher with the school district in 1977 and eventually became the secretary to the superintendent in 1984.

Superintendent Jim Negri, who is the fourth superintendent Storar has worked with at the district, presented her with a plaque at Thursday's meeting.

"Moving from typewriters to computers but never losing her shorthand skills," Negri said Storar kept superintendents on the right track.

Board member George Granger called Storar a "consistent source of excellence," while board member Janice Friesen commended her grace and patience.

"I've never seen her lose her cool," Friesen said.

For Storar, a Castro Valley resident, it will be difficult to leave a job she truely loves.

"I've never had the experience of not wanting to come to work," she said a bit teary-eyed and with a shaky voice.

Storar, a Castro Valley resident, will continue coming to work until a replacement can be found.

"That can take a very long time," Friesen joked.