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Considering so many parents moved from other states or even other countries to get into the high school district, the community forum about the Fremont Union High School District's long-range plan had a surprisingly low turnout.
Fewer than 20 people showed up at the March 29 meeting at Lynbrook High School to provide their input to the plan that is the brainchild of more than 100 students, teachers and staff and will determine the district's direction for at least the next five years.
"The representation was small. There were only three students and about 10 parents," said Gita Devanagondi, whose son is a sophomore at Lynbrook. "I don't know if the parents are just too busy or don't know the importance of the meeting."
The district was disappointed by the low turnout rate, too. Deputy Superintendent Polly Bove said to get more participants for the forum, the district bought advertisement in local newspapers, put a full-page invitation at each school's newsletter and sent emails to parents.
"Perhaps the parents and students don't think this plan will affect them immediately so they don't think they need to come," Bove said.
Despite the low turnout rate, the input process, which started in March, will continue until the board of trustees approves the plan in late May or June. With this timeline, the board and superintendent will prioritize the goals and begin implementing the plan in August.
"Although we are already a high-performing school district, it is important for us to step back and think about what we can do for all the students," Bove said.
The long-range plan, which Superintendent Steve Rowley calls the vision for the school district, has four focuses: personalized learning, partnership for success, infrastructure, as well as powerful teaching, learning and support. Objectives are proposed to address each goal. For example, to provide personalized learning for under-achieving and at-risk students, the planning team suggest the district provide early and ongoing intervention programs.
"We want to design a plan that is value-driven and centered on the needs of each and every student," Superintendent Rowley said.
The first draft of the long-range plan is available at the Fremont Union High School District's website, www.fuhsd.org. Email comments to lrpt@fuhsd.org or call Cindy McArthur at 408.522.2206.
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