Harris

Arthur Harris, the 13-year Blach Intermediate School principal known for his intellect, humor and passion for his staff and students, died Thursday after a long battle with cancer. A resident of Cupertino, Mr. Harris was 61.

Mr. Harris had sent a letter to parents in early April announcing he was stepping down from his position for health reasons. His passing was met with shock and sadness among members of the Los Altos School District community who praised his leadership and outstanding relationships with students.

“He was the classic, old-fashioned principal,” said board president Margot Harrigan. “He was a disciplinarian, but he had a kindly manner. He understood this age. He never trivialized their concerns. … He always did what was best for the student.”

Staff relationships were just as strong. “He thoroughly enjoyed working with his staff and supported them tremendously,” Harrigan said.

Patty Boettcher, district assistant superintendent in charge of instruction, echoed Harrigan’s statements.

“He was always student-centered,” she said. “He had so much appreciation for the junior high school student - all the quirkiness and uniqueness.”

Mr. Harris, who grew up in New Jersey, received his education degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He moved to the Bay Area in the late 1960s, teaching for a short time in the Ravenswood School District before moving to the Alum Rock Elementary Union School District in San Jose in 1970. He was principal at three different schools during his 23-year stint in Alum Rock. He joined the Los Altos School District in 1993 when he became principal of Blach Intermediate School.

Boettcher, along with other peers, recognized Mr. Harris for his humor and intellect, and his belief in decisions by consensus and empowering those around him.

Interim principal Jeff Allyn, who served as assistant principal with Mr. Harris for six years at Blach, noted, “I can’t imagine a better person to work with. He was an extremely considerate man, very sensitive and understanding - and never worried about himself.”

Allyn said Mr. Harris contributed to Blach’s current reputation as “the best private school that’s free.”

Former assistant superintendent Dick Liewer also recalled Mr. Harris as a “huge supporter of the arts” and a musician known to sit in with student orchestras and play his recorder.

His sly humor also endeared him to many. Allyn recalled a jar Mr. Harris kept on his desk that read, “Ashes of problem students.” He also recalled having a conversation with Mr. Harris as they were walking down a hall. Allyn ran into a pole and fell over, to which Mr. Harris replied, “Geez, I hate when that happens.”

Superintendent Tim Justus, in a note to parents on Friday, said: “We will miss his leadership, insight, intelligence and humor - always with the consideration of what is best for the students.”

Mr. Harris is survived by his wife, Andrea, a son, daughter and granddaughter. Services were held Sunday at Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos.