Superintendent Romo Remarks

1. Strong, Supportive Staff

Staff overwhelmingly identified people as the heart of a great school. They value dedicated, compassionate, and skilled educators and support staff who build lasting relationships with students and families. Retaining quality staff and minimizing disruption to teams were among the top concerns.

2. Positive Leadership and Communication

Effective leadership and clear, transparent communication were seen as essential. Staff want administrators who listen, provide consistent direction, and foster trust and collaboration. Many noted that strong leadership directly impacts morale, teamwork, and student outcomes.

3. Culture of Belonging and Safety

Respondents described their schools as families built on trust, respect, and inclusivity. A safe, supportive environment—both physically and emotionally—was viewed as foundational to student and staff success. The PBIS values of Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible were mentioned repeatedly as core to school identity.

4. School Identity and Traditions

Staff expressed deep pride in their school spirit, mascots, colors, and long-standing traditions such as assemblies, family nights, and community events. They want consolidation to blend the best of each school’s culture, not erase it, and to establish new shared traditions that reflect unity while honoring legacy.

5. Academic Excellence and Student-Centered Focus

Staff believe great schools combine high academic expectations with care for the whole child. They value personalized learning, strong programs (STEM, arts, Title I supports), and equitable opportunities for all students. The goal, they emphasized, is to help every student feel capable, confident, and connected.

6. Collaboration and Teamwork

Many comments highlighted the power of teamwork and collegial respect. Staff want to maintain a culture where collaboration, shared problem-solving, and mutual support are standard. They worry that consolidation could strain these relationships if not managed thoughtfully.

7. Family and Community Partnerships

Strong parent and community engagement was seen as vital. Staff want to preserve active PTOs, volunteer support, and local partnerships that contribute to school pride and student success. Schools were described as community hubs, and respondents hope that remains true post-consolidation.

8. Equity and Fairness

Equitable treatment—for students, families, and staff—was a recurring theme. Respondents urged district leadership to ensure resources, opportunities, and recognition are balanced across schools and to address disparities in facilities, programs, and support.

1. Teaching & Learning

• High-quality teachers and staff: Many emphasized that excellent, caring, and consistent teachers are the single biggest factor in student success.

• Small class sizes: Strongly valued for allowing individualized attention, small-group instruction, and stronger teacher-student relationships.

• Discovery, advanced, and non-traditional programs: Families want continued access to Discovery, STEM/STEAM, arts, clubs, and other enrichment opportunities.

• Support for special education and diverse learners: Parents strongly voiced the need to keep special education staff, programs, and related services intact, with consistency for students who rely on them.

2. School Culture & Values

• Respect, safety, and belonging: A safe, bully-free environment with positive behavior supports (PBIS) and strong discipline policies were mentioned repeatedly.

• Integrity, honesty, accountability: Respondents want schools to uphold values of fairness, responsibility, and character education.

• Student-centered focus: Families want to feel that decisions prioritize children’s learning and well-being—not finances or politics.

3. Traditions & Community Events

• Family-centered activities: Book fairs, fall carnivals, pajama days, Halloween parades, monthly assemblies, and school dances were all named as meaningful.

• School spirit: Spirit weeks, pep rallies, student leadership programs, and recognition events foster a sense of belonging and pride.

• Parent involvement: PTOs, volunteer opportunities, and school-family partnerships are seen as essential traditions to maintain.

4. Communication & Relationships

• Clear and consistent communication: Parents want ongoing, honest, and timely communication from schools and the district.

• Partnership with families: Families value when teachers and administrators know their children personally, maintain open dialogue, and include parents in decisions.

• Transparency during change: Many urged the district to acknowledge the emotional impact of consolidation, and to provide stability (e.g., keeping familiar teachers with students).

5. Facilities & Environment

• Safe, well-kept campuses: Families emphasized the importance of physical safety, security measures, and attractive environments.

• Age-appropriate placements: Concerns about moving 6th grade into middle school—parents worry about maturity gaps, bullying, and students “just becoming a number.”

6. Concerns & Emotional Impact

• Loss of school identity: Many families expressed grief, anger, and even betrayal over the closure of beloved schools. They fear losing traditions, trusted teachers, and the “family feel.”

• Stability for students: Parents pleaded for continuity of key teachers, counselors, and support staff during consolidation.

• Mental health & belonging: Repeated concerns about bullying, emotional safety, and the need for schools to feel like welcoming communities.

7. Hopes for the Future

• Equity and inclusion: Calls for supporting students of all backgrounds, ensuring fairness, and addressing diverse needs.

• Growth mindset: Some see consolidation as an opportunity to combine the best of each school and create new traditions together.

• Extracurricular opportunities: Strong desire to keep and expand sports, music, arts, clubs, and leadership programs that help students thrive beyond academics.