It’s heartening to hear that the Gilroy Unified School District has solid reserves of 9 percent, that a bond re-finance saved $50 million and that union negotiations with teachers have been both realistic and productive.
The icing on that rosy financial cake is that there’s a new fiscal sheriff in town, Alvaro Meza, GUSD’s Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, who by all accounts has both the experience and acumen to keep GUSD on the right financial track for the long term. Plus, his family lives here, signalling an intention to set down roots.
The cash flow crunch and questionable financial practices that prompted the Santa Clara County Office of Education to step in a number of months ago and take over operations are clearly in the rear view mirror.
Superintendent Debbie Flores and the Board of Trustees can breathe a sigh of relief. Though the financial problems should not have been allowed to escalate to a near-crisis point, the root issues have been addressed and the district, by and large, is on a very good path.
The board and administration are solid, and there are notable academic success stories to crow about. Surely there are miles to go, but the growing district is running on all cylinders now and, most importantly, there is a reasonable expectation for marked further success in the near future.
When compared, for example, to Morgan Hill Unified School District and its less-than-stellar academic performance, Gilroy has much to take pride in. Keep up the good work GUSD. The district is poised to deliver more success stories of even greater significance in the new year.
