Speakers encourage new goals for FUHSD

At the Fallbrook Union High School District’s welcome back event for staff members, held August 21 in the Bob Burton Performing Arts Center, the new superintendent selected for the district was introduced and speakers encouraged administrators, teachers and members of the classified staff to set new goals and get more involved in statewide issues.

“As educators, we have an opportunity to make a difference in 2008-2009,” said Dr. Robert French, interim superintendent of the district until September 1, when Dr. Dale Mitchell assumes the post.

French complimented the district board on their selection of Mitchell: “Wherever [Mitchell] has served, he has made a difference.”

After taking the podium, Mitchell gave an energized speech and said he will be pleased to join the Fallbrook district.

“I appreciate the fact that the has placed their confidence in me,” Mitchell said.

Stating that now is the time to set new goals, Mitchell said, “I can assure you that we are going to look at the work we do and stretch and grow a little bit.”

Mitchell explained to the staff that he intends to spend a significant amount of his work hours on the high school campus, not just in the district office.

“I cannot responsibly lead the district unless I’m aware of what goes on in the classroom,” he emphasized. “This district has a good reputation; we want to sustain and build on that reputation.”

Mitchell began his career in education as a high school science teacher and eventually obtained his doctorate in education in 1998.

While securing his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California, Mitchell played football and went on to spend three years at the professional level with the San Francisco 49ers.

“My athletic history is history,” Mitchell quipped. “In athletics you have winners and losers. In education you can’t afford to have winners and losers.”

Mitchell explained that he takes the job of being a role model seriously and demonstrated to staff members the art of keeping students’ attention in class.

That he intends to motivate the staff to achieve higher results in student achievement was clear. “Excellence can be obtained if you expect more than others think is possible,” he said.

After Mitchell’s speech, Ken Noonan, a member of the State Board of Education and former superintendent of Oceanside schools, encouraged staff members within the Fallbrook district to set new goals. Noonan is one of 11 individuals who serve on the state board.

“We are in a serious era of change,” Noonan said to the teachers in the audience, “and these are changes that are going to affect you.”

Noonan warned the crowd that Fallbrook “needs to be involved” by sending representatives to meetings the state school board will likely be holding in the region, explaining that charter schools are on the rise and that “times will continue to change.”

“I hope this school district, with its new superintendent and great principal, will sit down and set new goals; otherwise, you’re going to get a charter [high] school here, or the high school that Bonsall is after,” Noonan said.

Noonan said that Governor Schwarzenegger “is in favor of more charter schools.” “He thinks that’s the way to reform public education,” Noonan said. “It gives people choice without the voucher system. I can tell you there will be more charter schools in the future.”

Noonan said he is asking the state board to take the list of changes proposed for the high school level “on the road” in order to seek input from some 32 districts throughout the state.

“We could do that in three or four regional meetings,” Noonan said. “I want everyone to have input on these changes; otherwise, the state board will develop an item that will affect you and you will have no say.”

Noonan encouraged Fallbrook teachers and administrators to attend these meetings, saying, “If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem.”

In closing, Noonan validated the importance of teachers in the community, reminding them that they are the “most important people in town.”

“

give you their children and they trust you with them,” Noonan said. “Set your goal for what you want at your school and be ready to adapt.”