With fresh ideas and unresolved issues leaking into 2018, The Times decided to ask some of our community leaders what their resolutions or goals—both professionally and personally—are for the New Year.
Here are some of their responses, in their own words:
Steve Tate, Mayor of Morgan Hill
For the city, we’ll set goals at our annual “Advance” later this month (Jan. 26-27), and many of our current priorities will be carrying over. The council has an ongoing resolution that will carry forward: simply to make Morgan Hill even better. Â
For me, I resolve to have an answer to the often-asked question, “What will you do when you are no longer mayor?”
Gemma Abels, President of the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers
In 2018, my resolution is to remember what it means to educate our children. It means we provide them every opportunity to learn about themselves, others and the world. My resolution is that every MHFT member is empowered to make the educational decisions that is best for their students, that they have the resources necessary to support all of their students, and that they are truly respected for improving the lives of students in Morgan Hill.
David Swing, Morgan Hill Chief of Police
The Morgan Hill Police Department resolves in 2018 and beyond to be the Department of Choice for our residents, guests and members of our team. This means that the organizational culture and quality of service at MHPD is at such an extraordinary level that we prefer to serve in Morgan Hill, and that the community would choose us to help when it matters most.
Personally, I resolve to be a better husband, father, friend and Chief.
Tom Arnett, President of the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees
• Finalize a new (teachers’) contract before the start of the 2018-19 school year.
• Deepen my awareness of the needs of our students, families and school communities—especially the needs of those who are often underserved or underrepresented—and then take action to address those needs.
• Develop increased unity among the members of the board so that we can be more effective in pursuing our shared goals and making a collective impact.
• Be more prayerful each day.
• Cut back on eating sugars and starches.
• Spend one-on-one time with one of my kids every week.
• Complete the Chinese lessons on Duolingo.
Steve Betando, Superintendent of Schools for Morgan Hill Unified School District
• In consideration of current outside influences, such as the impact of Trump’s tax bill, health care challenges, and education funding cuts, it is more important this year than ever before to maintain quality of contract provisions while also protecting the excellent programs and innovative research proven practices. To accomplish that challenge, I look forward to the continued work with our labor groups, the school communities, businesses and community agencies to make the changes necessary for continued success. I am grateful to the teachers’ union for proposing to start negotiations early this year, which helps us work toward the goal of getting a contract agreement this spring.
• Reestablish the District’s Values and Vision Statement.
• Maintain fiscal health.
• Pursue more diverse, non-traditional parent engagement strategies with vigor and metrics.
• Support educational innovation.
• Attract and retain highly skilled staff.
• Create opportunity for students to participate in transformational learning opportunities.
• Support student achievement using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), equity programs and available resources.
• Create dashboard of key goals and metrics.
John Horner, Executive Director of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce
My personal intention for 2018 is to continue realizing how prejudices undermine the quality of life for everyone, and to discover more effective ways to put appreciation and respect into action.
For the chamber: Continue striving for a sustainable balance between jobs, housing and quality of life.
Mary Patterson, Vice President of the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees
To inform our governance of the school district, there are thousands of inspiring examples of educational leadership happening in our classrooms, and a huge pool of experts and resources available to us. I am eager to continue to be inspired by and to learn from these sources—MHUSD teachers and administrators, parents, dedicated community partners, fellow board members inside and outside our district, and students.
Mike Wasserman, Santa Clara County Supervisor, District 1
I tend not to reserve resolution making for just once a year, because my personality is to fix problems as I see them. But in the spirit of publicly announcing my intentions, I resolve to make our 1.9 million residents more aware of the vast array of county services available to them; the “Real. Life. Help.” that keeps Santa Clara County safe and healthy.
I also resolve to spend more time with loved ones. My wife Kim and I will celebrate 38 years of marriage this year, and it doesn’t get any better than spending quality time with her and our two adult children, together with our three dogs.
