Dear LASD Parents and Community,

Welcome to the Los Altos School District Website! I am delighted to be serving as Board President as we begin an exciting and challenging year.

If you are new to our district, or considering relocating into our district, I hope that you take the time to get to know our schools by meeting our outstanding faculty and district administrators.

If you are a parent in our district, I hope that you already realize what a fantastic school district we have: teachers who are top-notch professionals and care about your child, principals who are enthusiastic about children as well as curriculum; parents who are deeply engaged and supportive.

The 2009-2010 academic year will also bring some changes for our district. We began the year welcoming four new principals to Springer, Loyola, Oak and Covington schools. In November, the community elected Tammy Logan, Doug Smith and re-elected Mark Goines to the Board, joining Bill Cooper and me. And, after five incredibly busy and challenging years, our superintendent, Tim Justus, will retire in June 2010 after nearly 32 years in education - 21 of them as a superintendent. Superintendent Justus has led our district with intelligence and grace, professionalism, deep concern for children, teachers and staff - and a terrific sense of humor! We wish him the very best in this next phase of his life.

Last spring, the Board made very difficult decisions about staffing and academic programs in order to balance a budget negatively impacted by the economic recession in California. I am very proud of the manner in which we faced these decisions: in collaboration with parents, community and teachers. Our children - as our test scores once again demonstrated - continue to receive a rigorous and enriching education in our schools. However, the "tough times" are not quite over; in the next few months the Board will once again have to revisit how to deliver an outstanding program while dealing with potential new budget cuts.

I encourage you to stay engaged and involved in our schools - be it as a parent or community member. Our children and our schools are the very lifeblood and glue (to mix metaphors) of our community. I urge you to participate in school events and activities (posted on this website). Contact one of the Board members or Mr. Justus or one of our principals - we welcome your comments, ideas and opinions. Attend a Board meeting or your local school PTA meeting - you are always welcome. Join us in the selection process for a new leader. Most importantly, continue your support for our outstanding schools by sharing your time, talent and treasure through the Los Altos Education Foundation and our PTAs. Our children are counting on us.

We have an exciting and challenging year ahead. The Los Altos School District is very proud of the fact that we recruit and retain the very best teachers and administrators; we are recognized throughout the state for our outstanding curriculum and teacher training and development. We remain one of the top 5 school districts in California (based on test scores), a position that we have proudly maintained since test scores have been tracked. I am enthusiastic and confident that with the continued support of our families and community that the District will maintain its status as a leader in public education and our children will thrive.

Sincerely,

 
Margot Harrigan
President, Board of Trustees

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