FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson is stepping down this summer, according to his communications staff – who KMJ contacted at 3:30 on Monday.
Fresno Unified Communications said Hanson was announcing his decision to his school staff and principals, Monday afternoon. F.U.S.D. says there will be a press conference Tuesday, December 13th at 10:00 am. when the veteran leader will sit down and speak to the media about the district’s accomplishments over the past 12 years. KMJ will be there.
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The following statement was sent from F.U.S.D. Communications:
SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL E. HANSON ANNOUNCES HE WILL HONOR THE TERMS OF HIS CONTRACT UNTIL AUGUST 2017, AFTER 12 YEARS AS HEAD OF THE FRESNO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Veteran leader’s leadership will impact one of the poorest districts in the country for years to come.
Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael E. Hanson announced today that he will honor the terms of his contract until August 2017. The veteran educator stated that he arrived at the decision after “much deliberation, deep reflection and consultation with my family.” Although the formal announcement was made today, Hanson will continue to serve in his current capacity until August to ensure minimal disruption in the operation of Fresno Unified. Fresno Unified is the fourth largest school district in California and largest employer in the San Joaquin Valley.
Hanson accepted the position in 2005, drawing on his professional career as a teacher, principal, and district-level associate and deputy superintendent. When Hanson arrived, the district had a vastly different academic and financial landscape. The state of California was considering a takeover due to a significant budget deficit and poor academic outcomes. Yet, through the hard work of supportive teachers, staff, parents/guardians, community members, and the Fresno Unified Board of Education, Hanson helped change the trajectory of Fresno Unified. The district has overcome numerous challenges and made significant strides and academic gains in every subject matter area.
These significant milestones are specifically attributed to his leadership:
A focus on four primary goals has guided Fresno Unified along the way to today’s tremendous academic success, including working to ensure that all students excel in reading, writing and math; exposing all students to arts, activities and athletics; supporting all students as they traverse the academic landscape so that they are capable of demonstrating the character and competencies for workplace success; and striving to ensure that all students stay in school, on target to graduate with a high school diploma. Fresno Unified’s current graduation rate, rising test scores, and ever-growing stature and national reputation are proof positive that it has either met, or is close on the heels, of those goals.
- Maintaining a balanced, sound budget for most of Hanson’s nearly 12 years at Fresno Unified.When Hanson arrived at Fresno Unified, the district was on the brink of state takeover and the financial situation was dire. He has been tremendously successful in turning the district around, making it possible for Fresno Unified to provide students with truly remarkable experiences in the arts, sciences and career and technical areas, to name a few, due to financial prudence and thoughtfulness as the district serves over 74,000 students, and thousands more in the community, each year.
- Ensuring equity and access for allstudents through the use of real-time data tracking that has helped Fresno Unified strategically focus its efforts and best manage accountability metrics. The district’s data work has made Fresno Unified a shining example that many others in the state, and across the country, look to for ideas about how to support students.
- Major facilities enhancements and new school construction projectshave dramatically improved the school day for Fresno Unified students – ensuring that the hours they spend each day are in safe, clean, modern environments. To date, Fresno Unified has built 7 new schools and made significant enhancements at dozens of others. Much of this work has not only impacted students, teachers, principals and school staff, but the surrounding communities as well. One of the greatest examples of this is the beautiful Rutherford B. Gaston Sr. Middle School campus, which opened in fall of 2014. The ground-up construction project included a community health center. The recent passage of the $225 million Measure X bond ensures that Fresno Unified is well-positioned to conduct further enhancements and upgrades to its facilities for years to come.
- Partnerships with the City of Fresno, including adding green spaces and working toward renewing the vitality in 15 distinct neighborhoods through Restore Fresno, have proven crucial to Fresno Unified’s efforts. The district also developed greater partnerships with healthcare providers, Fresno Housing Authority, Cradle2Career, EOC, departments at the County of Fresno, and institutes of higher education including State Center Community College District, specifically Fresno City College, CSU Fresno, Fresno Pacific University, and UC Merced – all with the goal of getting more students ready and on target for college-level work without remediation. Working in collaboration with partner districts in CORE, the district has deeply benefited in numerous ways, which has led to better support for Fresno Unified students.
Superintendent Hanson stated, “I am grateful for having had the opportunity and honor to serve the children and parents of Fresno Unified. This decision did not come easy, but I am confident that we have created a solid foundation for the next leader of this amazing district.”
Hanson says he plans to work in the field of education in some capacity. Supporting students in urban settings will continue to be his lifelong passion.
