Superintendent's Newsletter
April 2019
Dear MUSD Community,
Spring is finally here and it is certainly time for a change in the season. It has been a pleasure to see more sunshine each week, and we should be getting to some warm spring weather in the coming days. I hope your spring break is full of perfect weather, exciting opportunities, and some well-needed relaxation.
As we experience changes in the season, we will also be experiencing changes within the Martinez Unified School District. As you may know, we implemented a reduction of over $400,000 in expenditures for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year in order to address continued funding challenges from the state and federal level. We have collapsed a few instructional support positions, tightened up our staffing across the school sites, and reduced an administrative position from our central office team. There will certainly be a void due to these changes. Each reduction carries significant implications as all our personnel and programs are designed to specifically support student learning. As an organization, we will remain agile and hold fast to our commitment of finding solutions to keep our primary focus on the learning environment within each classroom.
Additionally, there will soon be a change to our Board of Education. Mrs. Bobbi Horack has served this community with honor and dignity for many years as a member of our Board of Education. Sadly, Mrs. Horack will be stepping down from the Board of Education, effective April 12, 2019. Mrs. Horack is moving to a new home and we are thrilled that she and her husband will remain a resident of Martinez Unified. However, due to the recent establishment of voting districts within Martinez Unified, Mrs. Horack will be ineligible to continue serving on the Board because her new address falls out of her current Area 5 trustee boundaries. Please join me in thanking Mrs. Horack for her commitment and leadership in the Martinez Unified School District over the last eight years.
In the coming weeks, during regularly scheduled Board Meetings, our Board of Education will determine if a special election will be held or if they will select a provisional appointment to fill Mrs. Horack's position. Once that decision is made by the Board of Education, information will be sent to our parent community in a timely manner with complete details regarding the next steps.
John F. Kennedy, said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” As we cast our eyes to the future we look forward to responding well to changes in leadership positions. We are currently recruiting to find exceptional candidates for the position of Principal at Martinez Junior High School and remain excited about the future of this school, for both the students and the staff. As we move through the last few months, I am sure you'll all join me in wishing Mrs. Martin the best of luck on her future professional opportunities.
Additionally, please join me in wishing Mr. Tom Doppe the best of luck as he and his family prepare for new adventures and opportunity in Arkansas. Mr. Doppe has been with MUSD for almost eight years and will be greatly missed by the students, our staff, and our community. Mr. Doppe wrote in his email to staff members, "Each year I grow in my love and appreciation for everything that happens within MUSD. MUSD is truly unique in its sense of community. It is what drew me here, and it is what I will always remember most." Thanks to Mr. Doppe for being a part of what continues to make our district a special place. We've been very lucky to have his leadership over the past decade and I am sure we'll enjoy working with him through the rest of the year. In the coming weeks, we will begin the recruitment process to identify the next leader of our Educational Services Department.
I look forward to the future addition of new leaders on our MUSD team as they will be a great pairing with our administrators who have been with MUSD for many years. As I enjoy my 13th year as a part of Martinez Unified, I look forward to bringing in top tier leaders who can support our students and staff while becoming a part of this special community.
Sincerely,
CJ Cammack
Superintendent of Schools
Martinez Chamber of Commerce Names Marisa Lastrico as Educator of the Year!
Congratulations to Marisa Lastrico, 2nd Grade Teacher at John Swett Elementary, for her recognition by the Martinez Chamber of Commerce at the 2019 Educator of the Year. Anyone who knows Marisa can attest to how deserving she is for such an award. Marisa is a tremendous example of the overall excellence in education provided in Martinez Unified through the efforts of so many talented and committed individuals. Please join me in congratulating Marisa Lastrico on this accomplishment.
Measure R Projects Starting Soon
SAVE THE DATE & DESIGN A SHIRT
The 17th Annual Shell/MEF Run for Education will be Sunday, September 29, 2019. The 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk is a fundraising event that benefits all Martinez Unified School District Schools. The Martinez Education Foundation is seeking student designs for the T-shirts and ads used to promote this event. The design should be in color (4 color maximum) and 8 ½” x 11” in size. Hand drawn or computer-generated art by current MUSD students will be accepted. Please include the following information on the back of your entry: name, grade, school, parent/guardian, parent email (preferred) or phone number. Entries are due to your school office no later than 4pm on Thursday, April 18th. The winner will receive a prize and will be recognized at this years’ run. For questions, email martinezmef@sbcglobal.net.
Get Your Tickets for the AHS Spring Musical - Bye Bye Birdie
April 10 - April 13th @ 7PM
Alhambra High School
Purchase Tickets here: https://ahsbulldogstore.myschoolcentral.com/asbworks/(S(q1lh202clhoamhsswcir20ch))/apps/webstore/pages/WebStore.aspx?org=1744
Upcoming Dates And Events
April 1-5 Spring Break
April 10 - May 15 CAASPP/SBAC Testing Window
April 16 TK-12 Staff Development - Minimum Day
April 17-20 AHS Musical
April 27 AHS Prom
May 27 Memorial Day
(Please check your school site newsletter and website for additional information)
Martinez Unified School District
Website: martinezusd.net
Location: 921 Susana Street, Martinez, CA, USA
Phone: 925-335-5800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinezUnified/
Twitter: @CJMUSD