March 2, 2019

Board President's Update
The Board of Education has had a very busy new year! Click on the headlines and read below for more information on:
The Board has also made some changes to its communications as part of an ongoing effort to better inform the San Marino community about matters before the Board. One change is to make it easier to learn about matters discussed and actions taken at School Board meetings by providing the link to the audio recordings. Click here to listen to the February 25, 2019 School Board meeting.
 
Another improvement is an updated Board of Education webpage that not only provides links to important information related to the Board and District, but also provides information about how to communicate with Board members, whether it is via email or providing Public Comment at a School Board meeting. Click here to access the Board's webpage.
 
Thank you for keeping informed about what's going on in our fantastic District and for supporting the superior education of our students.





Lisa Link
President, SMUSD Board of Education
FAC
BOARD SELECTS MEMBERS OF FACILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE AT FEBRUARY 25 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
 
In response to its call for community experts in the areas of construction, design, management, legal and regulatory compliance, and financing, the Board was pleased to receive 31 applications from many very qualified and impressive candidates. After careful consideration, the Board selected the following to serve on the Facilities Advisory Committee:
 
Jim Barger
Michael C. Berger
Jose Caire
Jeanie Caldwell
Paul W. Callahan
Paul H Chan
David Duong
Marla Felber
Jesse Hong
Robert Horgan (Bob)
Joan Huang
Chris Maling
Jeff Morris
Tevlin "Tony" Poneck
Hal Suetsugu
Tommy Tang
 
The Board congratulates these volunteers who offer substantial expertise in the areas of real estate, engineering (civil, electrical, environmental), public funds management, project/construction management, architecture, design, and banking.  The successful applicants bring experience with the District's facilities and with the San Marino community, whether as a teacher, current parent (all school sites are represented), former parent or community member.  The FAC is still seeking a student to offer a student voice and perspective.
 
The Board thanks each applicant for their interest in lending their expertise and experience for the benefit of the District and our students, and the Board looks forward to introducing and recognizing the new FAC members at its March 12, 2019 School Board meeting.
Search
SEARCH FIRM CANVASSES SAN MARINO COMMUNITY FOR INPUT ON SUPERINTENDENT QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
 
Search firm consultants James Guerra and Mike Escalante met with numerous San Marino stakeholders throughout the day on Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 28 to hear their thoughts on desired qualifications and characteristics for the next SMUSD superintendent. Each consultant met with different constituencies, both individually and in small groups, such as students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and various school and community groups.
 
In addition, Mr. Guerra and Dr. Escalante received input during two community-wide meetings held at different times of the day in order to be as accommodating as possible to work and day-care schedules. Click here to hear an audio recording of input received by the consultants at the February 27 evening meeting.
 
Anyone who did not have an opportunity to provide feedback to the consultants is encouraged to fill out the anonymous online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KC5HBV8. James Guerra also invites the community to contact him at [email protected] or at (214) 934-5537.
 
Based on the input obtained from all constituencies, the consultants will develop a superintendent profile and job description for the School Board's review. JG Consulting plans on posting the advertised superintendent position nationwide in order to attract the most qualified candidates on Monday, March 4 with an April 4 application deadline.
 
The Board thanks all of those community members who met with the consultants and/or filled out the online survey to provide their thoughts and opinions regarding the ideal superintendent for San Marino Unified.
AAC
ACADEMICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE HEARS PRESENTATION ON LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
 
The Academics Advisory Committee, which is chaired by parent volunteer Michiko Lee and consists of approximately 25 parents, community members, teachers, administrators and Board members, is charged with advising the Board of Education regarding three different topics this school year: Graduation requirements; Dual Enrollment/CTE Pathways; and AP/Honors Policy Review. As all topics relate in some way to college admissions, the AAC met on Wednesday, February 27, to hear about how liberal arts colleges approach the admissions process.
 
Vince Cuseo, Dean of Admissions at Occidental College, gave a presentation to the AAC about the qualities and qualifications liberal arts colleges desire in an applicant, and he answered questions from both AAC members and the audience about varied topics, including how Oxy views the rigor of SMHS's academic curriculum. Click here to view a video of Dean Cuseo's presentation and Q&A (please note that the District is still experimenting with effective technologies and the low quality of sound recording prevented closed captioning).
SMSF
THE SAN MARINO SCHOOLS FOUNDATION PRESENTS A TOWN HALL ON CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION ON MARCH 6
 
The San Marino community is encouraged to attend the second in a series of collaboration Town Halls between the San Marino Schools Foundation and the District. Attendees will learn about curriculum and instruction topics and will have the opportunity to ask questions. Click here for more information about the event and how to RSVP and submit questions.
San Marino Unified School District Board of Education
Lisa Link
President
Chris Norgaard
Vice President
C. Joseph Chang
Clerk
Shelley Ryan
Member
Corey Barberie
Member