Gary Ernst to retire from Fountain Valley High School

Andrew Wainer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- After 37 years as an educator and nine years as

principal of Fountain Valley High School, Gary Ernst will retire at the

end of the school year.

“I need to make some changes,” Ernst said. “I want to see what’s

available outside of education.”

Ernst, who has the most seniority as a principal at one school within the

Huntington Beach Union High School District , said the nonstop hours have

cut too far into his personal life.

“When I get home, I can’t stay awake to say hello to my wife,” Ernst

said.

He said he works 11 to 13 hours a day.

“Being a principal is like being a fireman,” Ernst said. “You have to

deal with whatever comes up.”

He added that it takes him a month to read a book because of his hectic

work schedule.

Still, he said he “has no regrets.”

“I’ve made many friends at the school,” Ernst said. “I’m sure I will keep

in touch with them.”

The 30-year Huntington Beach resident said he always wanted to be a

principal in his own community.

“We live four miles from the school,” Ernst said

Ernst said the best part of his job was the kids.

“The kids of Fountain Valley are unbelievable,” Ernst said “It’s a very

friendly school, and that reflects the values of the community.”

But Ernst cautioned that the school continues to grow, and it will be

undergoing projects that need the attention of a long-term administrator.

The district hopes to rebuild one of the campus’ sinking buildings with

state repair funds. The school will also be formulating a grant for the

DigitalHigh School program.

Despite his desire for more free time, Ernst said he won’t be sitting at

home.

“My wife wouldn’t let me,” he said.

He said he is not sure what type of business he wants to enter, he would

like to do something focused on projects rather than crisis management.

And even though Ernst said he is walking away satisfied from a 13-year

career as an administrator in the district, he said it has become

difficult to find new educational administrators to fill the open spots.

“You don’t earn that much more than a teacher,” Ernst said. “Plus you

work many more hours and don’t get summers off.”