Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
Education
Photographs by Jacqueline Ramseyer Fremont Union High School District Superintendent Joe Hamilton is retiring after 37 years in public education. Fruits of Labor FUHSD Superintendent Joe Hamilton retires after 10 years of service to district By Jennifer Zhang Spending time with family, traveling, writing and staying involved with the community are some of the activities that Joe Hamilton, superintendent of Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD), will devote a lot more time to after this school year ends and he starts his retirement. Hamilton joined FUHSD 10 years ago as an assistant superintendent and became the superintendent in 1997. Over the years, his leadership has helped the district progress in many areas. 
During his first five years in the district, Hamilton started or assisted with many successful projects that have made lasting contributions to the community. One of these projects is the Teen Parenting Program, which helps teen mothers to stay in school while simultaneously developing good parenting skills. Under this program, high school mothers receive free childcare services at the Teens with Tots Childcare Center, located in Cupertino High School. Another major project that Hamilton has supported is called The Foundation, which organizes many events throughout the year, such as the Crab Feed in February, to raise supplementary funds for Youth Service Programs as well as to provide an avenue for community involvement. 
Photograph courtesy of FUHSD FUHSD Superintendent Joe Hamilton received a 'plaque' with handprints of the children of girls in the Teens with Tots Childcare Center to thank him for all of his support back in 1999. Hamilton also helped change Fremont High School's logo and mascot from the "Indians" to the "Firebirds," after there were objections from within the community to the name. In 1997, FUHSD was experiencing a bitter contract dispute with its teachers that caused much dissatisfaction within the community. It was during this time that Hamilton took over as the district superintendent. Within a few months, the dispute was resolved as the district and the teachers forged a revenue-sharing agreement in which teachers would partially live off the same amount of money available in the previous year in addition to special money from the state, as well as share in any tax revenue increase. "Their salaries have increased over 35 percent since then," Hamilton said. "But more importantly, we have been able to rebuild trust with our teachers, classified employees and the community. The goal is to create a family atmosphere for our employees. It's beyond just the issue of salaries." Under Hamilton's leadership, FUHSD student academic performance has improved. All five FUHSD schools are ranked in the top quarter of the 865 high schools in California. TwoÑLynbrook High School and Monta Vista High SchoolÑplaced in the top 10 in the stateÕs Academic Performance Index (API) ranking. Another area that Hamilton has focused on is the use of technology in schools. One of the first tasks Hamilton accomplished as superintendent was helping to convince the community to pass a $144 million bond to modernize the district. The bond passed with 80 percent support. With the bond passage and an additional $30 million from the state, modernization of the aging facilities began. Many new structures have been built and old buildings rehabilitated. The new swimming pool in Fremont High School and 17 new classrooms in Monta Vista High School are some of the fruits of Hamilton's labor. Hamilton said his goal is to provide computers for every student so that they can have immediate access to all types of resources. He hopes for his goal to be realized in the next five years. Hamilton said he feels that he could not have accomplished as much as he did for FUHSD without his experience in public education. After attending San Jose State University and the Hoover Institution, where he received his bachelor's degree in social science and master's degree in European history with an emphasis in military history, he started his career in public education as a teacher at Gilroy High School. For three years, he taught social science courses and coached football. Hamilton then taught at James Logan High School in New Haven Unified School District in Alameda County. For 20 years, Hamilton took on different roles, from teacher to union leader. He also got involved with designing and carrying out a joint teacher-training program with California State University, Hayward, which provided training workshops for teachers. Hamilton soon became the program's director and part of the superintendent's Cabinet. It was while serving in this position that Hamilton gained valuable experience in administrative work. After 23 years of teaching, Hamilton accepted the principal position at James Logan High School. One of his first major tasks was transforming the large school into three smaller units, each with its own principal and faculty. Under his leadership, James Logan High School received numerous awards, including the nation's highest award for school achievement. 
Photograph courtesy of Joe Hamilton Joe Hamilton, with Cheryl Hightower, circa 1982, when he was in charge of peer coaching/staff development at the New Haven Unified School District in the East Bay. It was during this time that Hamilton decided to become a superintendent. His excellent reputation soon brought him to FUHSD. Looking back on his time spent in FUHSD, Hamilton said, "It's been an exciting and rewarding challenge in a wonderfully supportive community. I have had the advantage of working with some of the best professionals in education and some of the best students in the state." Hamilton and his wife will continue to live in their home in Cupertino. Hamilton plans to spend more time with his family, especially his granddaughters. He also plans to do some traveling and writing. Hamilton will continue to be involved with the community through the Rotary Club and the American Leadership Forum, which bring together business and nonprofit communities to do projects in the Silicon Valley. "It is wonderful to work with a superintendent who thinks so highly of his employees; it makes me proud to be a member of this district," FUHSD Board President Avie Katz said. "Joe's strong leadership, his value in working with the community and his drive to motivate and get people involved has been outstanding." A retirement banquet for Hamilton will take place on June 22 at Four Points by Sheraton in Sunnyvale. For more information, call 408.522.2202. |
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