By Sara Ballenger

Dick Liewer wears a size 8, but he will leave some even bigger shoes to fill as he steps down from his post as assistant superintendent of curriculum of the Los Altos School District on July 1.

Patricia Boettcher, current principal at Bullis-Purissima School in Los Altos Hills, is up to the challenge. She was selected by the district’s board of trustees from over 40 applicants earlier this month to replace Liewer.

“Patty was chosen because she is intelligent, a good listener, extremely knowledgeable about curriculum and instruction, and highly respected by parents and teachers,” superintendent Marge Gratiot said. “She is familiar with the unique culture of this district and will be as vigilant as Dick Liewer has been in protecting the quality and integrity of our instructional program.”

Boettcher couldn’t be happier with the board’s decision.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be selected as assistant superintendent,” Boettcher said. “I think everyone in the district knows that Dick Liewer is a hard act to follow, but this is a great opportunity.”

Boettcher has been principal at Bullis for the last three years and has worked as a principal throughout California for the last 12 years.

“Working with curriculum and instruction has always appealed to me,” she said. “It’s time for me to grow and stretch a little more, while still being involved in the teaching, learning and instruction of the children on a broader scale - representing the whole district. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Liewer has already begun showing Boettcher the ropes.

“It’s going to be a really easy and natural transition for the two of us, since we are already working together,” Liewer said. “We have a list of all the upcoming meetings, and we’ll do those together. We have also made a list of every month in the year of curriculum activities. After I retire, we are planning to talk a lot too.”

Liewer said that aside from Boettcher meeting all of the qualifications the district was looking for in an assistant superintendent, he sees her as being able to meld well with the current district administration.

“I know for a fact the people who work in this office are just thrilled to have her coming in,” he said. “She can make the hard decisions that need to be made to keep us moving toward the top and follow through, while also keeping her love for students and teaching.”