Hollister
– After weeks of searching, the San Benito High School Board of
Trustees announced Stanley Rose as the new district superintendent,
effective after Jean Burns Slater retires Sept. 1.
Hollister – After weeks of searching, the San Benito High School Board of Trustees announced Stanley Rose as the new district superintendent, effective after Jean Burns Slater retires Sept. 1.
“We’re excited to be offering this position to Mr. Rose,” Trustee Shelley Donati said in a written statement. “He brings a wealth of practical experience in education combined with a strong academic background as evidence (sic) by his doctoral work. I believe that Mr. Rose’s commitment to improving educational opportunities for all students will continue to move San Benito High School forward as an academic stronghold in this community.”
Rose was introduced as the school’s new superintendent at Thursday night’s Board of Trustees meetings prior to a small reception for educators and members of the public to meet him. He also introduced his wife Maritza and two sisters-in-law, all of whom are in education.
“We take this (education) very seriously; you can see this is not just a career for us,” he said. “It is our lives.”
The incoming superintendent also expressed how pleased he was to be coming to SBHS and that he looked forward to the beginning of the school year.
“All of your children are capable of success when they are given the tools to succeed,” he said. “I will do everything I can to make sure they continue to have access to those tools.”
Rose currently serves as assistant superintendent of human resources at Morgan Hill Unified School District, a fairly large district comprising nine elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, a continuation high school, and a community adult school. SBHSD, on the other hand, comprises only SBHS and San Andreas Continuation High School.
Rose, who has been in education for roughly 30 years, began as a teacher of English and history in both elementary and high school settings at both public and private institutions. As an administrator he has served as a dean, vice principal, principal, director and assistant superintendent.
In his personal educational background Rose has earned a B.A. in social studies and business from the University of Portland, a teaching credential from Lewis and Clark College and a master’s of public administration. He is currently working on his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of California at Berkeley, which he expects to complete in late 2007.
SBHS offered Rose a three-year contract with a $165,000 yearly salary, along with a $250 monthly car allowance. He will receive the same medical package as most teachers and SBHS employees.
Rose’s first day of work is officially set as Sept. 1, with Slater retiring on Aug. 31, but she said the two would be working together to make the transition as smooth as possible.
“I’m specifically interested in looking at the budget very carefully with him, and our facilities plan, because the high school will have to start expanding and we’re looking at passing a bond for a new high school,” she said. “I also want to give him a tour of our local area, show him our Best Road property and introduce him to some of the other superintendents.”
Slater pointed out that Rose will be starting under very different conditions than she did. When Slater was hired in 2002, most of the district’s staff had been employed at SBHS for nearly 30 years. Now, however, Director of Finance and Operations Jim Koenig will be starting his second year with the district, Director of Educational Services Cindy Cordova was hired in the fall of 2005 and the district is still looking for a successor to Director of Human Resources Don Balfour.
“These people are experienced, but not with San Benito High School,” Slater said. “So there is a lot of opportunity here for everyone.”
Of all the challenges Rose will face taking the reins of SBHS, Slater said she thinks facilities will be the biggest concern in the future.
“Facilities will be a huge challenge,” she said. “When the sewer moratorium is lifted the district has to be prepared to deal with that.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
