Proven Leadership Has its Benefits

By Gloria Mercado-Fortine

Gloria Mercado-Fortine recognizes that work still needs to be done to ensure fiscal accountability, responsiveness to parents and the community, the completion of modernization projects at all aging schools, and the construction of Castaic High School. But there is also much to celebrate in the William S. Hart Union High School District.

The William S. Hart Union High School District faces many challenges. The district has mirrored its community's phenomenal growth, as well as the growing pains that typically accompany such an experience. As a member of the district's Governing Board, I have witnessed this growth firsthand, and I am continually amazed at how well this district has forged ahead as it has overcome those challenges.

This district overcomes challenges and devises innovative solutions because everyone in this district is of a single mindset: to provide the very best education and training opportunities possible for our students, who are our most valuable investment in the future.

The results of this hard work and steadfast commitment speak for themselves. Our junior high schools and high schools are some of the highest-achieving in all of California. We have opened five new schools in recent years, including some pioneering, revolutionary campuses: the Academy of the Canyons and the Early College High School, both through partnerships with College of the Canyons. We have also listened to the business community and expanded vocational and technical opportunities for our students by developing the Automotive Technology Partnership in cooperation with College of the Canyons and the Valencia auto dealers. These are but a few examples of how well our district is performing.

But we need to do more. Our community expects and demands the very best, and we must deliver.

We must strive for ongoing district accountability in everything that we do. We must complete the modernization projects for all of our district's aging schools. We must increase technical/vocational and career opportunities for students by duplicating and expanding innovated partnerships with College of the Canyons and local businesses. We must help the district become even more responsive to parents and the community. We must enhance performing and visual arts programs districtwide. And, we must follow through on our commitment to Castaic by building Castaic High School.

With your help, ideas and support, we can and will deliver this. And much more. Thank you for your time. I look forward to serving you.