Superintendent Message

Reflection of strength

Dear SAISD Staff:

I am proud to announce that Trustee Christina Martinez is our new Board President. At our Board meeting last week, the Trustees discussed and approved the reorganization of its officers. President Martinez is a commendable leader to follow in the footsteps of Trustee Patti Radle’s governance, who served at the helm for six years, and remains on the Board. Trustee Alicia Sebastian-Perry replaces Trustee Art Valdez as our new Vice President, and Trustee Valdez will now serve as Secretary.  

We are excited about the new slate of officers and the addition of two recently sworn in members – Trustees Sarah Sorenson (District 1) and Leticia Ozuna (District 3). I know our Trustees will confidently lead our District in the years to come, and we look forward to their guidance and counsel.

Also at last Monday’s meeting, the Trustees approved some revisions to Board policies, including one around student dress code. The updated FNCA Board policy expands clothing options for our students in middle and high school grades, and gives lower grade levels the option of wearing jeans. The new guidelines also allow students to wear their natural hairstyles and religious head coverings.

The changes were brought forward by Social, Emotional and Academic Development (SEAD) and Restorative Practices based on student input from surveys, advisory group discussions and committee recommendations. A new Dress Code menu tab will soon be on campus websites, so parents can learn more about the expanded clothing options in time for back-to-school shopping.

I know many of you are now on break or about to go on break next week, and I want to take one more opportunity to thank you for your labor of love this school year. This year was hard – there is no denying it. Yet you faced the struggles during this pandemic with grace, honor and perseverance. 

As a reflection of the strength of our teachers, college-bound advisors, and students, this year’s high school seniors – our newest alumni – earned $128.8 million in scholarship offers. This is double the total of offers students received just five years ago. The amazing thing is – we are on target for our high school students to increase their scholarship offerings by another $50 million in just two more years! We anticipate these offers exponentially increasing with our students’ academic achievements and the dedicated work of our campus educators and staff.

I am so grateful for the future that I know lies ahead for our students, and I know they feel the same way. I heard it in their voices – and in their own words – during our graduation ceremonies this month. Hearing their heartfelt words put joy in my heart, and I hope this video clip of their testimony gives you the same emotional response. 

Enjoy your summer break. May it be restful and just what you need. 

Sincerely,
Pedro