Central Coast superintendent to leave position

Superintendent Dr. Hctor Rico of the Alisal Union School District has announced he will be leaving his position to “pursue other opportunities”.

It comes as his three-year contract as the district superintendent ends.

Rico said in a letter sent Monday that he declined a “generous new contract” from the Alisal Union School District Board of Trustees.

Check out Dr. Rico’s full letter below:

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Dear Alisal community and partners:

This letter is to inform you that my three-year contract as Superintendent of the Alisal Union School District (AUSD) ends at the end of this month. Although the Board offered me a generous new contract (pending board approval), I’ve elected to pursue other opportunities. I thank the Board and all of my talented and dedicated colleagues for the opportunity I was afforded to serve this amazing Alisal community. Over the past three years, together, we’ve accomplished some pretty incredible things. In addition to all of the terrific work at each of our twelve school sites, in our three Family Resource Centers, and in every department, here are some additional noteworthy accomplishments:

– Steady academic growth, including AUSD receiving the most “Bright Spots” (50) countywide from Bright Futures/CSUMB

– Created a new districtwide dual immersion program housed at Monte Bella

– Created a Whole-Child Division to focus on MTSS framework, social-emotional well-being, counseling, support services, extra-curricular activities (e.g., coding, NASA STEM, Drumline, Mariachi, Folklrico, year-round sports, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, flag football)

– Created 13 counselor positions and hired 12 counselors this year (1-yr ahead of schedule)

– Created an Early Learning Department to better focus our efforts on PreK-3rd-grade academic and social-emotional development

– Built and opened two new family resource centers (now, 3 total). Received the CSBA Golden Bell award this year for our FRCs

– Built a new district office and moved most district departments into it

– Installed solar panels districtwide (estimated to save $3.3M over the life of the loan)

– Created a districtwide student mariachi group which, after less than one year, was invited to perform at the CA State Fair’s inaugural youth mariachi competition

– Completed 1:1 student devices rollout districtwide

– Switched to an online student registration system

– Launched a Google Level 1 Certification initiative for all staff. Around 120 teachers and administrators have achieved this, thus far

– Received positive budget certification each year

– Passed $70M Prop 46 Bond (73% Yes votes) to rebuild two schools and eventually build a 13th school (thank you Alisal community!)

– Refinanced two outstanding bonds (estimated to save AUSD taxpayers close to $1M)

– Actively sought out grants and other funding opportunities, bringing in to the District millions of dollars

– Increased collaboration with CSUMB and expanded Service Learning program; brought back student-teachers; now participating in grant-funded research programs that will provide support to our district

– Passed a Safe Haven Board resolution and hosted multiple immigrant support community forums, including collaborations with the Mexican Consulate, with the City of Salinas, and with the County of Monterey (featuring California Attorney General Xavier Becerra)

– Fostered a positive, collaborative, growth mindset culture and a District culture to believe in and focus on “Cultivating the whole child for a world-class education.” Cultivated a positive reputation of the District within the community, county and in the media (thank you!)

– In-progress: rebuilding two schools (Alisal, Fremont); will build a new Early Learning Center in collaboration with the City of Salinas and multiple partners/funders (to open August 2020); slated to offer preschool to all interested families in our community with 4-yr-olds;

arranging for a mobile health clinic in collaboration with SVMHS at no cost to District

I’m very proud of our accomplishments, of our dedicated staff (see our Homegrown Heroes, Cultivated in Alisal web page), of our committed parents—many of whom toil the fields and help feed us all—and, of course, of our almost 9,000 gifted and talented Pre-K-6th grade students who will be our nation’s next generation of leaders. It’s been an honor to serve as this community’s superintendent and to have had a part in fulfilling the mission of cultivating the whole child for a world-class education. I wish everyone much continued success.

Dr. Hctor Rico

Superintendent