by Paul Andrews on 2015-01-14
Ted Alejandre on Monday, Jan. 5 became San Bernardino's 34th superintendent during a swearing-in ceremony held that afternoon at the National Orange Show. He is also the first Hispanic person to serve this role.
The room, filled with about 500 community members, family, staff and dignitaries attended the ceremony, where Alejandre was sworn into office by San Bernardino County Board of Education President Mark Sumpter.
In his speech, Alejandre said he will work to create a team of educators, stakeholders, residents and educational partners to advance academic opportunities for the over 411,000 public school students in the county's 33 school districts.
"Together we will transform lives through education in our county," Alejandre said.
Alejandre in a release paid homage to the superintendents who came before him.
"Following in the footsteps of my recent predecessors - Dr. Gary Thomas, Dr. Herbert Fischer, Barry Pulliam, Dr. Charles Terrell and Roy C Hill - I understand the responsibility of succeeding outstanding leaders who helped develop exemplary educational programs and services, as well as those who made providing excellent service to districts and schools in our county a top priority," Alejandre said.
Alejandre called the last year a "time of transition" for public education in California, making mention of new policies including the Local Control Funding Formula, which replaces the previous general-purpose funds given from the state to a per-student base grant that varies by grade span. He also alluded to the Local Control Accountability Plan, where schools and districts work with stakeholders and communities to focus on services and programs needed at their schools.
New state standards and classroom technology are other new policy implementations.
"In this new environment, I am ready and prepared to take the reigns of the county superintendent’s office," said Alejandre, a San Bernardino native who formerly served as the deputy superintendent of county schools, starting his career with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office in 2008. "I know the importance of building strong collaborative relationships with our districts and providing strong educational programs for students in our alternative, special education, juvenile court and preschool programs. Creating a culture of open communication and collective vision with parents and students, our teachers and classified staff, our community stakeholders and partners is critical to our ability of providing successful outcomes for all students from Cradle to Career."