The Cupertino Courier

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Polly Bove is choice of school board to take on leadership

By Erin Hussey

One of the first challenges facing Polly Bove, who has been named superintendent of the Fremont Union High School District, is the lawsuit filed by former boss Stephen Rowley, whose unceremonious firing on Aug. 22 elevated Bove from assistant superintendent to acting superintendent. To date, the district has spent $78,621 on the suit.

The newly elected board announced the appointment of Bove at its Dec. 5 meeting. The unanimous vote to approve Bove is a far cry from the divisiveness that characterized the board in the weeks before Rowley was fired.

The 3-2 vote to fire Rowley had been preceded by a flap over the resignation of a teacher who had applied for reassignment as a guidance resource teacher. Then-board president Avie Katz had opposed the move, and many in the school community rallied around the teacher.

But when Rowley inadvertently sent an email critical of Katz to the entire board, his fate was sealed.

Rowley, who had two years left on his contract, is suing the district. Katz lost his bid for another term on the school board.

Bove was given a contract through June 2008.

At the Dec. 5 meeting, trustee Homer Tong said to Bove, "I think in the short time that you were acting superintendent and before that, of course, with your long history with the district, I think you have proved that you are what we need." He added: "You have done an excellent job with the way you lead the board and are very inclusive."

Prior to serving as acting superintendent, Bove was the deputy superintendent beginning in 2003. She also has a long record of leadership in the district, serving as assistant principal at Homestead High School from 1989-91, coordinator of student services district wide from 1991-95 and executive director of educational services from 1995-2003.

Newly elected board member Bill Wilson said to Bove: "You certainly have done an incredible job in the district. The thing that really impresses me is how much the people in the district respect you."

Barbara Nunes, who was elected the new board president at the meeting, also praised Bove.

"The trust people have in you, your ability to bring people together and your creativity has shown throughout the positions you have held at the district, and I know that will continue," she said.

Bove, who was moved almost to tears, had to catch her breath before she was able to address the board.

"I don't have the words to express how grateful I am for this opportunity," she said. "I am honored both because of your unity in your vote and in the confidence you have in me. I feel like I can say yes because of everyone on our amazing team--students, parents, teachers, classified staff and administrators."

The next day, Bove found her office crammed with staff members singing "Congratulations to You."

In a later interview, Bove said she plans to continue implementing the long-range plan approved by the board when Rowley was superintendent.

In addition to Bove's appointment and the presidential nod to Nunes, trustees voted Ho as vice president and Nancy Newton as board clerk. The trustees also discussed the legal fees the district has incurred from investigating the resignation of Krieger and gave a brief update on the lawsuit filed by Rowley.

A new attorney, appointed by the district's insurer, has taken over the case at this point. Because of the change, a 30-day extension has been granted before the district has to respond.

For more information on upcoming Fremont Union High School District board meetings, visit www.fuhsd.org/agendas.htm.