The three-year contract of San Benito High School District
Superintendent Dr. Jean Burns-Slater is set to expire this year,
and while Slater says she’s proud of her accomplishments with the
high school to date, she has yet to decide whether to stay with the
district or not.
Hollister – The three-year contract of San Benito High School District Superintendent Dr. Jean Burns-Slater is set to expire this year, and while Slater says she’s proud of her accomplishments with the high school to date, she has yet to decide whether to stay with the district or not.
“We’ve been so involved with negotiations with the teacher’s union that the board hasn’t even talked to me about it,” she said. “But it’s always the board’s decision.”
The district has come under a fair amount of criticism since Slater first took the helm in 2002. Most recently, the League of United Latin American Citizens attacked the district’s decision to ban flags on student apparel, and negotiations between the district and the Teacher’s Union over a new contract have been glacial – spanning almost three years – and still have yet to be completed.
“In general, being a school superintendent is a tough job,” said SBHS Trustee Bill Tiffany. “It’s a complex organization and given the circumstances I think she’s been doing an excellent job.”
Slater’s contract is set to expire in June, but she believes she and/or the board will have made a decision by mid-March. In the meantime, Slater says she has been weighing her options.
“I have to,” she said. “That’s simply what every professional does.”
Over the past three years, Slater has implemented several programs she is particularly proud of, including a new independent study program for students forced to spend extended time away from school, and new opportunities for students enrolled in alternative education.
“I feel that we’ve really improved communication between the high school and the community,” she said. “We’ve really worked on equity, on fairness, and access for all students. I feel we’ve opened up opportunities not only for students but for their parents as well.”
Slater’s role as superintendent has not only impacted students, but teachers employed by the high school as well.
“The school has become a lot better about following ed code and state law,” said Chuck Schallhorn, President of SBHS Teacher’s Association. “I’ve been attending school board meetings for about a year and a half now, and board policy is updated just about every meeting. She’s really good about following school law, and I think that’s a definite plus.”
While many teachers were contacted who refused to comment, Kelly Bianchi, adviser for the high school’s FFA program, said Slater has, “always been very supportive of our program, and supportive of the kids.”
Though Slater has not determined whether or not she wants to stay with the high school in the future, she did say that she wouldn’t want to leave unless she felt that it was in a better place than when she arrived.
“I’m hoping I can be cost-neutral and bring in as many resources to the district as are used on me,” she said. “And some of that is measurable, and some of it is not.”
The district has spent considerable resources on Slater – providing her with a $150,000 yearly salary. However, she receives the same health plan as every other school employee and receives no additional benefits.
“My hope is that she will choose to stay on,” Tiffany said.
No other board members could be reached for comment.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
