Superintendent's Message-March 2008
March 7, 2008
Dear Colleagues and Community Members:
It has been an enormously busy year, and it feels like a good time to provide an update regarding some of the initiatives taking place at the District level so that you can be reasonably well-informed regarding these topics.
Upcoming Bond/Building Program
At its February 26 meeting, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to
place a $378 million bond election on the June 3 ballot for
consideration by the voters in the Palo Alto Unified School District.
This money will be used to construct and renovate facilities worthy of
the promise and talent of our students as well as to address the
enrollment growth we are seeing in our schools. If the bond passes,
owners of property will see a continuation of the same tax rate --
$44.50 per $100,000 of assessed value.
I strongly believe the bond will pass because most bonds in the state are passing handily, our community has a long tradition of supporting education, and our needs are compelling. We are planning as if the bond will pass so we can gain the maximum benefit from these resources. In fact, it is our intention to approve projects the day after the election. Between now and June 3, those in charge of construction are busy thinking about ways that we hit the ground running.
You may also have heard the district received a $3 million donation from an anonymous donor to upgrade the stadium fields at BOTH schools with synthetic turf fields. This gift is unique in that it targets both schools (we are a UNIFIED district!). This project will begin in early May. In addition, the board has also decided to leverage this donation by using the dirt from these fields and additional resources to embark on a substantial and long overdue upgrade of the other fields at Gunn High School. The result will be fantastic.
Doing this building program properly is hard work. All of us in the school business deal with the two of the most important things to people ? their money and their children. The building program and the bond are about more than facilities. They are also about our trust with the community. We need to do it right, and I have every confidence that we will.
All this said, while facilities are important, the most important work goes on in the classroom through the interaction of students and those providing instruction. The rest of us are here to support this interaction in the best way we can.
Strategic Plan
Last month, with the support of McKinsey and Company on a pro bono
basis, we began work on a new strategic plan. Representatives from
McKinsey are completing over 50 personal interviews of the board of
trustees, cabinet members, principals, teachers, staff and parents. Next
week we will start focus groups made up of randomly selected teachers,
staff, administrators, parents and students. Already themes are emerging
that will be further explored in the focus groups and then with an
on-line survey that all parents, teachers, staff, and high school
students will be asked to complete around Spring Break time. I have been
involved in many strategic plans over my career, but I have never seen
anything close to the depth and sophistication of the one we are doing.
We will learn from this process and most certainly make our great
district even better.
In a week or so we hope to have something on the website that describes the time line and other information about process, as well as some of the themes that are emerging. Stay tuned.
People ? The Source of Our Success
It is the hiring season and many of us are busy looking for the most
talented people we can find to help our students achieve their
potential. Principals and Instructional Supervisors are looking for
"star" teachers to join their teams. At the District Office, we are
working hard to find a worthy replacement for Associate Superintendent
Marilyn Cook, who is retiring at the end of the year. In addition,
Jordan Middle School and Nixon elementary are looking for new
principals. If you know talented people who would like to work with our
students, in whatever capacity in which they are qualified, encourage
them to apply to work here. It is amazing how important word-of-mouth is
in attracting the finest people to a school district.
Communications
In an organization as big and complex as our district, it is a struggle
to keep all stakeholders informed. Staff has made a big effort to
improve the website, improve school-home communication, and provide more
information in the best manner possible. I am continually impressed with
the quality of the principal writing and the information in the material
we send home to parents in newsletters. We need to continue to find ways
to improve in this regard and welcome your suggestions. This letter is
an attempt to improve the flow of information both within the District
and to those on the outside.
Concluding Thought
When I was a principal, one of the most outstanding teachers and coaches
at our school retired. As he talked about his career, he talked about
how important he felt it was to have "an attitude of gratitude. " We can
never spend too much time thanking those who help us or help our
children. So, thanks for all you do to help make our District the best
place to work and learn.
Sincerely,
Kevin Skelly Superintendent
