Morgan Hill – South County educational and business leaders gathered in the Sobrato High School library Friday morning to meet with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and each other to discuss the state of schools.
“We were honored that they took the time to visit with us for a second time,” said Morgan Hill Unified School District Superintendent Alan Nishino. “We wanted to bring all community stakeholders together to see the vision of our schools and the state of our schools. Community outreach is important to us as a district, and I believe also to our fellow educational leaders in the South County.”
Gavilan College President Steve Kinsella, Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Edwin Diaz and San Benito High School District Superintendent Stan Rose were all in attendance, as well as some of their board members. Members of the community, including elected officials, business leaders and Morgan Hill Unified School District Home and School Club presidents were also at the gathering to talk about education.
O’Connell also spoke about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget ideas. The state school chief’s visit was part of a trip to the South Bay that took him on Thursday to a business meeting with the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce at Adobe Systems in San Jose and to other parts of the Bay Area. In Salinas, he announced steps to ensure continuity of quality child care and educational services for families impacted by the freeze.
“I am committed to help mitigate the effects of this freeze disaster on the children and families in the affected areas,” O’Connell said. “I want to assure parents that quality state child care programs and educational services will not be interrupted during this crisis or in the months to come as our farmers assess the damage caused by these freezing temperatures on our agricultural industry.”
The governor has declared a state of emergency in Santa Clara County and several counties across the state as a result of extreme low temperatures and freezing conditions that began on Jan. 11. O’Connell has identified several ways to assist children and their families who have been impacted by the state of emergency.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.
