Giving Credit for a School Miracle
As we approach Thanksgiving, I submit that we should all consider thanking a very important group of unsung heroes: the thousands of elementary school principals, school maintenance workers, personnel directors, district office curriculum specialists, teachers and others who pulled off a miracle in implementing Gov. Pete Wilson’s class-size reduction initiative this year.
It was only last May when the governor first mentioned his proposal. It was late July before the initiative was ultimately approved in Sacramento by our state leaders, a mere five or six weeks before the traditional school year got underway in most communities.
Our public school employees were never discouraged by the short time they were given to implement this long-awaited and most important school reform measure. Principals interrupted family vacations to prepare. The personnel departments in school districts all across California met the challenge of recruiting and interviewing thousands of teacher candidates and then hiring the very best and brightest.
We witnessed the dedication of our school employees. They responded with enthusiasm and vigor in implementing Wilson’s initiative.
JAMES A. FLEMING
Superintendent
Capistrano Unified School District
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