On Dec. 19, David Francis will have his last working day as superintendent of the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, though he’ll retire officially on Dec. 31. He will be succeeded by Assistant Superintendent Phillip Alvarado.
Francis started as the superintendent of the district in July 1999. Before coming to the district, he spent seven years as an assistant superintendent for the Visalia Unified School District. He has more than 37 years of teaching and administrative experience.
Under his leadership, the district built four new schools, modernized or expanded 11 campuses, and built three junior high gymnasiums. Francis also oversaw the development of an extensive English Language Development program, the opening of six new preschool programs, and the annual improvement of student STAR test scores.
In an interview with the Sun, Francis highlighted some upcoming challenges for the district: the “catastrophic budget situation,” improving academic proficiency among non-English speaking students, and accommodating the district’s population growth rate.
“I’ve been in the business 37 years and I’ve never seen a [financial situation] like this,” he said. “It’s unprecedented.”
It’s also something Francis said the new superintendent will have “no choice but to take head-on.”
“You always have to prepare for the worst-case scenario and hope that it never plays out,” he said.
Still, Francis is confident that the district, and its employees, will be able to weather the storm.
“I’m proud to be leaving behind a highly talented and dedicated group of people who will always do everything in their power to see students succeed,” he said.
The compliments for the retiring superintendent are equally glowing: Francis is a tireless advocate for children and a true believer in all children’s abilities to be successful, district spokeswoman Maggie White said in a press release, noting that his “open door” policy and practice of visiting every classroom in the district at least three times each year demonstrated his connection to teachers and other staff members, as well as his desire to support quality teaching.
Francis received his undergraduate degree from California State University at Fresno, and his masters degree in education administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
He said he plans to spend his retirement supporting his schoolteacher wife, playing more golf, and “relaxing, hopefully.”
Hancock trustee promoted to state level trusteeship
Bernard E. Jones, the Lompoc valley representative on the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District Board of Trustees, is taking his responsibilities statewide. Jones was recently appointed to the California Community College Trustees Board. Jones said in a news release from the college that he plans to work toward the same goals on the state board as he has at Allan Hancock, including faculty and staff diversity, student accessibility, and student success.
As a member of the California Community College Trustees, Jones will be serving the Community College League of California, a nonprofit corporation representing 110 colleges. As an appointed member, Jones will be required to run for election in 2009.
With Jones’ appointment, Allan Hancock College now has two representatives working with the statewide league. Allan Hancock College Superintendent/President José M. Ortiz was elected to the Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges board of directors in 2008. The league’s mission is to promote student access and success by strengthening colleges through leadership development, advocacy, policy development, and district services.
School Scene is compiled by Staff Writer Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2008.
