UPDATE: The board accepted Stenson's resignation, which will be effective June 30, and named him executive director of facilities and maintenance for Lucia Mar.
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ORIGINAL STORY: The Board of Education is set to discuss Tuesday night the resignation of Lucia Mar Unified School District Superintendent Andy Stenson.
Stenson, who was appointed to the position in September 2018 and has worked in the district for years, announced last weekhis decision to resign, citing an unhealthy work-life balance.
"I've realized recently that the 24/7 nature of this job is… I've just reached a point where I feel like personal and mental health need to be a priority for me," Stenson told KSBY News.
While he would like to step down as leader of the district, Stenson is hoping to stay with Lucia Mar in some capacity.
"I don't have a path defined for me just yet. That's in the Board of Education's hands," he said. "I love this district, I don't want to leave Lucia Mar, so I'm hopeful I can remain in some form of a leadership capacity here in Lucia Mar."
Stenson says while the challenges he's facing are no different than those of any other superintendent of a large school district, he says he's reached a point where he's finding it harder to "turn it off" when he goes home for the day or on weekends.
"A lot of it just has to do with the 24/7 nature of society now - cell phones, text messages, emails, weekend phone calls, after hours challenges... Every superintendent faces those same challenges. I've just come to realize it's hard for me to shut those challenges off and still get enough sleep at night," Stenson said.
While his future is unclear, he says one thing is certain: "I chose education. I will never leave education. I think you have an opportunity in education to have a lasting impact on students and on staff. I think it's the greatest profession in the world."
Stenson adds that whoever steps into the role next is inheriting "an incredibly beautiful position," calling Lucia Mar "an amazing school district. We have so many good people from principals, teachers, custodians, secretaries, the list goes on and on and on."
Board of Education President Vicki Meagher calls Stenson "an exemplary example of TEAM Lucia Mar," adding, "while we will miss his leadership as our superintendent, he will remain a valued member of our district family."
If accepted, Stenson's resignation will become effective on June 30.
