FUSD Appoints New Superintendent

At a special meeting held on April 19, 2008, the Fontana Unified School District Board of Education approved a contract to employ Cali Olsen-Binks as Superintendent beginning July 1, 2008.  Mrs. Olsen-Binks is currently Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Services, and has served for 18 years as a teacher, principal, and district administrator in the Fontana school district.

Board President Laura Abernathy Mancha said of the appointment, “The district needs someone who has an investment in Fontana and who will continue the progress the district has made increasing student achievement.  We’re confident Cali will continue moving us forward.”

Because Olsen-Binks is the daughter-in-law of Board Member Kathy Binks, the district sought several legal opinions and was assured that their relationship does not disqualify Cali Olsen-Binks from the position.  The Board’s By-Laws required that Kathy Binks not participate in any actions related to the employment of the new superintendent.  Board Member Binks did not participate in the review of applicants, the interviews, nor the contract negotiations for the new superintendent.  In the future, when the new superintendent is being evaluated by the Board or when contract negotiations take place, Kathy Binks may not participate in that process.  “The Board had to be very sure that there is no conflict of interest, but we knew that Cali would keep the district on the right track,” said former Board President, Gus Hawthorn.

Olsen-Binks replaces Jane Smith who came to Fontana as an interim in July of 2006, but later agreed to a two-year contract as Superintendent.  Mrs. Smith declined to ask for an extension of her contract and declared her intent to retire last fall. “I have enjoyed my return to Fontana, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done to strengthen secondary education.  District staff members have been wonderfully supportive, but it’s time to pass the baton to someone who will give the district stability,” Smith said.