Tuolumne County superintendent resigns early

Cathy Parker, county superintendent of Tuolumne County in the Sierra foothills, will leave her post two months before her term ends in early 2023, the Union Democrat reported.

Parker, who lost her bid for re-election in June, has worked in education for 25 years. The county Board of Education appointed Diana Harford, deputy superintendent, to lead the office until Zack Abernathy, a Sonora High math teacher who narrowly defeated Parker, is sworn in on Jan. 2.

Parker’s last day will be Oct. 31.

“I hate to see Cathy go. She’s one of the smartest people in education, but I’m excited she’s built a team and support that will transition well into the next administration,” Casey Littleton, president of the county school board, told the newspaper.