Panucci
By LESTER CHANG
Fremont High School District Superintendent Mary Panucci, under fire from two-thirds of the district teachers for the way she has run the district, will be honored for excellence in education during a luncheon on June 9 at De Anza College.
During a "Friends of the College" luncheon, Panucci will share honors with Margaret Kern Wozniak for community service and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. for its corporate and business contributions to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.
The luncheon will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Hinson Campus Center at the college.
"In a short time you have been a powerful force in shaping education in the Silicon Valley and we feel you are the most deserving of this award," said Martha Kanter, president of De Anza College, in an April letter to Panucci. "It is time to celebrate your contributions to the future."
During Panucci's three years at the helm of the district, the district's five schools have received numerous awards and honors.
They include California's highest award, the Distinguished School Recognition Award, which was presented to Cupertino, Fremont and Monta Vista high schools.
This year, Cupertino High also received the prestigious Hewlett-Annenberg Grant and won a Blue Ribbon designation, an award given only to the best schools in the nation.
In a written release, G. Franklin Pelkey, president of the board, and Nancy Newton, a board member, commended Panucci.
"We are very proud of Mary's accomplishments in the district," Pelkey said. "We take even greater pride in the positive effect her stewardship has had on the outstanding academic development of our students."
Newton said community leaders recognize her work in the community, most notably for her involvement with the YMCA and business leaders and with students involved in community groups.
Their commendations come on the heels of a vote of no confidence for Panucci by at least 300 of the 400 members of the Fremont Education Association. Some have complained she hasn't provided sufficient leadership. They also said contract negotiations between the FEA and the district have sputtered because of the way she has directed her negotiating team.
The FEA has complained that the district hasn't scheduled enough negotiation sessions to hammer out an agreement before the end of the school year in June.
The district said it wants to approve a contract as soon as possible.
A current three-year contract expires in August and would remain in effect until a new contract replaces it.
Negotiators from both sides disagree on the salaries and medical benefits.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, May 29, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.