BREAKING NEWS: Superintendent Mendoza Announces Split from School District

Nestor Fernandez June 8, 2011 at 04:24 pm

If he does resign it would be a terrible loss for the District and students. He is so active in the district. You seem to see him at all the events. I wish I could say that about the board members.

Tom Watson June 8, 2011 at 09:04 pm

He will be a huge loss for the students and the schools. He is so involved in everything and has made a huge improvement in communications and the growth of our students.

Kristin June 9, 2011 at 11:26 am

What a HUGE loss for our district. I agree with Nestor's comment...I see him almost anytime there is a school or district event. I've always felt his enthusiasm for education & his concern for our kids. He's so approachable; I always felt like I could address him quite easily. I don't know what the conflicts w/the school board was, but I am incredibly disappointed that they couldn't work it out.

T. Pries June 10, 2011 at 02:37 pm

I'm so disappointed that the Sumner School District will be losing a superintendent of Dr. Mendoza's caliber. I have always found him to be articlulate, intelligent, and above all... professional. In all my communitcations with him, he has always made it very clear that his first priority is student learning. It's difficult to understand how whatever conflicts there were couldn't be resolved. I agree with Kristin... what a loss for our district.

Trudy Bleiler June 10, 2011 at 02:54 pm

I would like to be on record as saying that Gil Mendoza has been nothing but wonderful to work with over these last 2 years in the community. I am deeply saddened by the decision of his leaving his post as Superintendent. He was hands on with students, teachers and parents, involved in everything the school district was doing, has a huge heart for learning, was kind and extremely passionate about his calling. What a mistake to let someone like this go, do people really understand what our children need today, they need people and communities that care about them and are willing to step up and give their time to nurture them, let them know that people really do care. He had fresh ideas and was willing to get out of the box, what a breath of fresh air, we need that kind of thinking. I hope you will all start doing the same as this is a very sad and disheartening day for the Sumner School District.

Immaculate Ferreria-Allah June 12, 2011 at 11:17 pm

I am so impressed with Dr. Mendoza's track record. I see him at every event that has to do with our children and families and community. He always goes out of his way to say hello, and he even memorized all the names in my family! Dr. Mendoza is approachable, friendly, and kind. It's obvious that his #1 goal is our children...therefore, I find it puzzling that he and the board could not see eye-to-eye. Hmmm...it makes me wonder. The next superintendant has some pretty big shoes to fill. Dr. Mendoza will be missed.
For the record, I agree with the comments above from Nestor, Tom, Kristin, Tina, and Trudy. :-)

Immaculate Ferreria-Allah June 12, 2011 at 11:24 pm

He should run for Mayor! (Smile!)

Nancy M. Dumas June 14, 2011 at 08:56 pm

I'm curious...I was told student learning and achievement, or lack of, was the reason for separation. Separation is the term used when one refuses to resign. Aside from semantics, I decided to look into our District Report card avail online through OPSI.
Drop out rate at 2.2%; Grad rate 86.0%, extended grad rate 9.01% (2009-10) vs 4.4% drop out, 80.6% grad rate and 84.3% ext grad rate with former Supertindent. This success was noted at a summit in Olympia as best district in Pierce County. "Most HS students at or above standard for reading, writing & math." All these things sound successful and in our kids best interest to me. No Agenda's red flag possible issues with Dr. Mendoza. In fact each Executive Session is followed by "Board Action is not anticipated." As a parent, I have no idea 4 Board members will decide to change the face of my childs education. And, in the middle of a week where Board member's seeking election must file by 4pm Friday giving little time to find candidates to run. Why were we not notified? I believe action was taken because our "forever on the board Board members" minus 1, can not adapt to a new management style. Instead of thinking of our kids, they thought of themselves and their comfort first. One board member told me last night the old Super drove to Seattle to meet with him before a board mtg. Tells me he couldn't fulfill his elected duties and why wasn't our old super in district working?

Julie June 15, 2011 at 11:15 pm

These are all very good points, I truely believe could lose Gil because of Egos on the Board. There are people running this year and Casey and Paul will have my vote, without a doubt!
If we lose Gil we get a triple hit! 1. We lose a great Super - 2. We will pay him for not working (I think the figure is 150,ooo - 175,000 range) and I pretty sure we could find a way in this Budget crunch to use that money IN our schools. 3. We are stuck with this antiquated, egotistic, "forever" School Board. This is not over, anyone up for asking for BOARD RESIGNAZTIONS?!