Northington eyes school chief post

Kathy Northington, superintendent of the Mark Twain Union Elementary School District, has chalked in her name as a candidate for county superintendent of schools.

Northington, a 32-year veteran of Calaveras County schools, is the first to announce her intention to run for the position. Current Superintendent John Brophy intends to retire when his third term ends in December next year.
 

  “I am committed to supporting the schools in Calaveras County as they work to increase student achievement,” she said in a statement.

Brophy, 59, has endorsed Northington. The pair worked together during Northington’s eight-year tenure as assistant superintendent.

“She has excellent training and experience and really has the students as her number one priority,” he said.

The last contested race for superintendent was in 1998, when three candidates ran, according to the county elections department. Brophy won in the primary with 59 percent, and ran unopposed in the last two elections.

Northington’s resume is like a directory of county schools. After moving to the county from Amador at age 3, she attended Wallace Elementary and Valley Springs Elementary. She graduated from Calaveras High School in 1969.

After earning a teaching credential from Sacramento State University, she began her career as a teacher at Rail Road Flat Elementary. She later taught at Valley Springs Elementary and Copperopolis Elementary.

She earned a master’s degree in school administration from University of San Francisco in 1985, and became principal of Mokelumne Hill Elementary. After a year, she moved to the principal position at Valley Springs Elementary. She stayed nine years.

She moved in 2000 into her position in Brophy’s office. She started off managing curriculum and instruction as an assistant superintendent. She would eventually also oversee special education programs.

In 2008, she became the superintendent of the Mark Twain district.

Northington said her goal as superintendent of schools will be “trying to move our student achievement along and support our schools.”

It is her first time running for elected office, she said.