August 30, 2007
CAMPUS
Hovey gets comfortable in superintendent seat
New administrator spends his first weeks visiting summer programs and preparing to welcome students to the Fullerton School District.
By BARBARA GIASONE STAFF WRITER
If a man’s character is reflected on his office walls, it’s apparent newly hired Superintendent Mitch Hovey balances family, friends and professionalism.
Prominent among award plaques and college diplomas is a blue plastic Frisbee, inscribed “Dad, Love Justin,” with the poem, “Before I Go to Sleep” attached to the back.
“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 leading from a country schoolhouse to the city.
Hovey says the people of Selma, Calif., 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 large 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 today and Friday.
He plans to have two community forums in the first part of September as part of an immediate priority to be visible and communicate.
He was scheduled to have 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 next few weeks. The question has remained, who will pay if there is a decision to retain nine guards at intersections that are considered
“unwarranted.”
Hovey says he’s requested a packet from City Manager Chris Meyer to look at aerial views of the intersections. “Possibly there could be a shared cost,” he adds.
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 allows all teachers, including kindergarten, 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.”