Hollister School District’s new interim Superintendent doesn’t
start work until Monday, but he’s already making the commute from
Redwood City to meet district administrators and parley with the
board of trustees.
Hollister – Hollister School District’s new interim Superintendent doesn’t start work until Monday, but he’s already making the commute from Redwood City to meet district administrators and parley with the board of trustees.
In an interview with the Free Lance, Ron Crates talked about how he believed his 35 years of educational experience can help the financially-troubled district. He said he’s eager to get to work.
“We need to take care of our business in-house right now,” Crates said.
Crates is aware of the district’s financial problems, and said he will be looking closely at each budget line.
“I need to learn where we’re at financially and where we need to go,” he said.
He plans to work closely with Michael Slater, the district’s financial consultant, and the San Benito County Office of Education to make sure the district avoids state intervention.
The district, which has been using reserves to cover deficits for at least two years, was given a “qualified” financial certification by the San Benito County Office of Education, which means the district “may not” be able to meet financial obligations for the current year or two following years. If the district cannot balance its budget, County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley will initiate procedures that would force the board of trustees to relinquish control of the district. The district would then be run by a state-appointed administrator.
Crates has been a superintendent for more than two decades and knows how to get funding – not just from federal and state sources, but also from businesses and foundations outside of the education community.
Crates was able to secure more than $100 million in funding for the Redwood City Elementary School District during his 15 years as superintendent of that district. He credits his fundraising success to hard-won community relationships – something he plans to continue here in Hollister.
“The challenge here is just to get and talk with the community to develop relationships and establish trust,” Crates said.
Crates knows the district’s financial crisis will not be solved by fundraising alone, and he is willing to make difficult cuts. Since he hasn’t officially started work, Crates cannot say exactly where those cuts will be made.
Crates left his last superintendency at Redwood City Elementary District after the board of trustees informed him that it would be looking for new leadership. A confidentiality agreement precludes Crates and district officials from commenting on the reason for his resignation. The agreement provided Crates with a letter of accomplishments, 18 months of salary and benefits and contained a clause that forbid either party from disparaging the other.
The contract states in part, “In the event the District is contacted by prospective employers or other third-parties regarding Crates’ employment, such inquires shall be forwarded to the President of the District, who shall provide only information contained in the letter of accomplishments.”
Crates said he will miss Redwood City Elementary, but he is looking forward to working in Hollister.
“It’s like leaving a family, but this is a new passage for me,” Crates said. “It has given me a real surge of energy.”
In the coming weeks, Crates will be meeting with the school board to plan the district’s future and discuss goals for this year. Crates will not be moving to Hollister, but said he was open to the idea of extending his current one-year contract with the district, which expires in June. Crates did not rule out seeking a permanent position with the district, which is still officially looking for a permanent superintendent.
Crates is looking forward to working with the Hollister community. For Crates, a school district is just a subset of the community which is it serves. As the leader of the school district, he promises to be open, direct and accessible.
“The way the schools go in general is how the community will go in the future,” Crates said.
Although he has spent most of his educational career as an administrator, Crates is still a teacher at heart.
“I still see myself as a teacher,” Crates said. “I help principals and teachers to help kids learn.”
