August 26, 2007

Superintendent is new honcho in town
Superintendent Mitch Hovey spends his first weeks visiting summer programs and preparing to welcome more than 13,000 children to the Fullerton School District.
By BARBARA GIASONE
The Orange County Register

FULLERTON - A quick scan of the walls of Superintendent Mitch Hovey's office and it's apparent what's important to him: family, friends and professionalism.

Prominent among award plaques and college diplomas is a blue plastic Frisbee, inscribed "Dad, Love Justin."

"That's my oldest son's kindergarten present to me," Hovey, 53, says proudly. "He's 25 now, and a nurse in a critical care unit."

Above his office door, a wooden, hand-painted plaque shows a road winding from a country schoolhouse to the city.

The newly hired Hovey says the people of the central California town of Selma, where he held his first job in 1983, presented him with the gift depicting his leaving the little school in the middle of a vineyard to teach children in the inner city.

"This is really who I am," says Hovey, pointing to a framed poster labeled "Our Greatest Contribution" that shows children ready to face the world.

"It really does take a village to raise a child," he continues. "People value education, and want to be part of it."

Yet, Hovey hasn't spent a great deal of time in his Fullerton School District office since arriving July 2. He's been on the road, visiting the district's summer programs and preparing to welcome the more than 13,000 children who start school Aug. 30 and 31.

He plans to have two community forums in September to meet the community.

He scheduled a welcome breakfast for the district's 1,400 employees on Tuesday.

And he's eager to learn more about issues left over from the previous administration.

For example, Hovey views the one-to-one laptop computer program valuable in helping students' ability to learn.

"But we need to ask if it's a good instructional tool, and if it's the only tool," Hovey says. "No, I believe there are other tools. I want to talk with the children, the teachers and the parents and get their opinions."

He's hoping to resolve the crossing guard issue with the city within the week. The question remains: Who will pay if there is a decision to retain nine guards at unwarranted intersections?

Assessing the state education budget, Hovey decides the district has an obligation to move all children toward proficiency, but resources are needed to complete the job.

"And that's what's missing in this budget," he says. "I'd like to see more class-size reduction and more funds for special-needs children including the gifted and talented. Let's be accountable to all parents, but give us the resources."

Hovey says he is most impressed with the $900,000 California Math/Science Partnership Grant that teamed Cal State Fullerton math professors with all the district teachers this summer. The award allowed the instructors, including kindergarten teachers, to learn how to teach math.

"I've always seen a weakness to expect elementary teachers to be good in all subjects," he says. "Now we have algebra in kindergarten. Algebra is the gatekeeper, and we must do a good job in teaching those skills."

Asked about his professional style, Hovey quickly responds that he's collaborative.

"To be successful as a superintendent, you have to bring people together. It comes down to relationships and building trusts. This is a service-oriented profession."