FUSD Superintendent Honored by ACSA

On April 21, 2008, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 12, honored and recognized award recipients at their Spring Awards Dinner at the University of Redlands.  It is with great pride that we announce our Superintendent Jane Smith was awarded one of the most prestigious awards in the field of education, the Marcus Foster Memorial Award.

ACSA established the award to honor the memory of Marcus Foster, the influential former superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District.  Qualifications for the award point to someone who is on the cutting edge of school administration.  The candidate must be a skilled manager of change whose style involved broad community and professional involvement, a willingness to take risks to improve educational opportunities, creativity and willingness to try new ideas in reaching out to children, willingness to speak out on issues that impact children, and someone who respects everyone as a human being.  Our Superintendent, Jane Smith, embodies all of these exemplary traits.

Mrs. Smith has served the Fontana Unified School District and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools for the past 25 years.  She models a code of ethics that is welcomed by all and has established herself as a leader who serves by “doing the right thing.”  Mrs. Smith holds herself to the same high standards she expects from her collogues.

During her tenure as Superintendent, Mrs. Smith has brought stability, compassion, and direction to the Fontana Unified School District.  Administrators and principals needed a strong superintendent with the ability to support them and encourage school success.  Her expertise in analyzing instruction afforded site managers a way to “look at themselves” in a manner that encouraged “self-reflection” and creativity in their role as instructional leaders.  Her expert training sessions have enriched our management teams.

Mrs. Smith's leadership has provided a revitalization of the district, five of the district’s schools are exiting program improvement.  According to the California Department of Education, the district has five schools that are no longer considered Program Improvement schools.

In addition, her advocacy of children is evidenced in all areas of the school district.  Mrs. Smith is truly the standard that our district follows.