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A memorial service for Dr. Bill James, former long-serving superintendent of Pleasanton schools who died earlier this month, will be held from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Palm Pavilion at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. He was 84.
Dr. James retired in August 1998 after serving 13 years as school superintendent in Pleasanton. Previously he was the superintendent of the Paso Robles Joint Union High School District and the Paso Robles Union Elementary School District.
James’ tenure in Pleasanton included leading the community through school district unification in 1988, when the former Amador Valley Joint Union and Pleasanton Joint districts joined to become the Pleasanton Unified School District.
His many other accomplishments in Pleasanton included the passage of a $85 million school bond in 1988 with 76% of the vote, the construction of the 1,300-student capacity Pleasanton Middle School in 1991 and the passage of a $70 million school bond in 1997 with 77% of the vote.
In 1997, James was appointed to the Educational Council for Technology and Learning and he also initiated a Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce education subcommittee that later evolved into the Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE) Foundation. He also implemented elementary counseling for grades kindergarten through sixth in 1989 and executed a developer fee agreement to ensure that new housing growth cover the cost associated with expanding school enrollments.
Yet even with his busy schedule, James was an involved and active member of the community. The Chamber of Commerce, Pleasanton Rotary Club, Pleasanton Fine Arts Council, Tri-Valley Business Council and the PPIE were just a few of the many organizations he served with during his 13 years as Pleasanton schools superintendent, which was part of a career in education that spanned 38 years.
His daughter Lori J. Rice, an executive with the Valley Humane Society, said she was with her father when he passed away peacefully in the morning on Oct. 11 after having suffered a seizure three days earlier.
“I (was able) to say goodbye to my dad,” she said. “He was a strong, wise and wonderful man, and I will miss him a great deal.”
Current PUSD Superintendent David Haglund said district officials have had heavy hearts since learning of James’ death.
“Dr. James was PUSD’s first leader and played an enormous part in shaping the award winning Pleasanton schools we know today,” Haglund said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to the James family, and join the countless individuals touched by the legacy of Bill James in honoring his contributions to our schools and community.”
Besides daughter Lori, Dr. James is survived by son Michael James of Modesto, grandchildren Catie and Kevin Rice, and sister Ann of Poway. James’ wife of 56 years, Catherine, died April 5, 2015.
Rest In Peace Bill. Bill and Catherine were so kind to me and so important to our community.
Bill and I met and talked so many times when I was the Athletic Booster President at Foothill. I was always met with respect for my viewpoint on mutual issues, and he was always quick with a smile and handshake.
I will miss those moments when we would bump into each other around town, and our conversations about the kids in town.
May God be with his family as they grieve his passing, and I pray they will be comforted by the many wonderful memories he gave them. God bless.
It was a pleasure working with someone like Dr James. He treated all PTA/PFC Presidents in the District with kindness, appreciation and especially with an Open Ear. Always wanting to make the District a better place. He along with Juanita, and Jerri Long made the District Schools a great place to volunteer in the 1990’s. Thank you Dr James and my condolences to your family.