As deputy superintendent of school operations, Peterkin supervised cafeteria workers and custodians, teacher in-service training, and student affairs.

School Committee Member Alfred B. Fantini praised Peterkin's "diversity of experiences," and his management skills in particular.

The new manager of the $42 million annual school budget faces "the challenge of trying to maintain and improve educational excellence within set resources," said Fantini yesterday.

Another item on Peterkin's agenda will be how to reduce the exodus of students to private schools. About one third of Cambridge's school age children attend private schools, according to school officials.

Frances H. Cooper, a committee member said the new superintendent will "really have to give private schools a run for their money."

Among current superintendent Lannon's achievements were the implementation of voluntary desegregation in 1975--all the city's schools now have minority populations of between 30 and 50 percent--and the merger of Rindge Technical and Cambridge High and Latin schools into one high school, Cambridge Rindge and Latin.

Peterkin will begin his new job on August 16, the day after Lannon's contract expires At Tuesday's meeting, the committee proposed to extend Peterkin a $65,000, three-year contract.

Peterkin and his wife plan to move to Cambridge soon