Dear GUSD Staff and Families,

So long, March!  “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” as the old adage says as we continue to experience atmospheric rivers and wind gusts in Gilroy.   I am grateful for our Maintenance Team and site custodians who have worked tirelessly to prepare for and address issues associated with inclement weather.  I am so pleased with how our District has weathered these storms (pun intended) the last few weeks, and am looking forward to spring weather and sunny days.  

Superintendent Search 
The application period for the District’s next Superintendent closed March 22.  I am confident that quality candidates have submitted their credentials for consideration, because Gilroy is such a great place to live and work, and because Team GUSD is so strong. The next steps for the Board include a candidate selection meeting, where the Board will review the applications submitted (close to 20) and will choose candidates to interview.  Then on April 21 and/ or 22, the Board will conduct interviews of the chosen candidates.  Each of these meetings will be held in Closed Session, which means they are not open to the public due to privacy and confidentiality considerations.  It is still the goal of the Board to make an appointment of the next GUSD Superintendent at the May 18, 2023 meeting. You can follow along on the Superintendent Search online:  https://www.gilroyunified.org/superintendent-search.  

I want to thank our staff, students, parents and community members who participated in the input gathering sessions either in-person, on Zoom, or through the online survey.  The consultants who are helping facilitate the search process were impressed with the thoughtful insights offered by each group.  Your feedback helped paint a robust picture of the most desirable qualities for the District’s next Superintendent. 

End of the School Year and Upcoming Events
I can hardly believe that there are just over ten weeks left for most of our students in the 2022-23 school year! Spring break for all students is April 3-7, and when we return to school after the break, it will be a sprint to the last day of school on June 9!

Here are some dates to mark on your calendar.  As a reminder, you can find the instructional calendar for this year, and the next two school years, in Spanish and English online here: https://www.gilroyunified.org/families/instructional-calendar.
 

• March 27—Early release for middle school students
• April 3-7—Spring Break.   No school for students.  
• April 15—GUSD Run for Fitness
• May 25—GECA graduation
• May 26—Minimum Day for all students
• May 29—No School.   Memorial Day observed
• May 30—Teacher Records Day for Elementary School.  No school for students in grades TK-5.
• May 31-- Adult Education graduation
• June 6—Mt. Madonna High School graduation
• June 7—Middle School 8th grade celebrations
• June 7, 8, and 9—Minimum Day for high school students (finals schedule)
• June 8—Gilroy High School graduation
• June 9—Last day of school
• June 9—Christopher High School graduation

 
COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution
The District will provide another round of COVID-19 test kits to students prior to Spring Break.  Please have your student(s) test before returning to school on Monday, April 10, and keep them home if they are not well.  Staff should do the same.
 
Negotiations with GUSD Bargaining Units
I’m proud to tell you that at last night’s regular Board meeting, the Board of Education approved a 10.5% salary increase for our classified (CSEA), paraeducator (GFP), and management staff.  This is the highest pay increase for these bargaining units in my tenure with the District.  The fifth day of negotiations with the Gilroy Teachers Association (GTA) concluded on March 20 without reaching an agreement.  At the end of the day, the GTA negotiating team notified the District that they are filing for Impasse/Mediation.
 
Upcoming COVID-19/ Flu Shot Clinic at Glen View Elementary, March 27
There are two upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics happening on our District: March 27 at Glen View Elementary and March 30 at El Roble Elementary.  Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. 

Upcoming Fentanyl Awareness Nights, (April 19 English and April 20 Spanish)
The Gilroy Police Department is hosting two Fentanyl Awareness Nights on April 19 (English session) and April 20 (Spanish session) at the Gilroy Senior Center (7371 Hanna Street). Attendees will learn about the dangers of fentanyl and available resources.  Narcan kits will be distributed.  Event registration is encouraged but no one will be turned away at the door. This event is for parents and guardians, and GPD will host a youth awareness night during the summer.   

Save the Date: Dr. Flores’ Retirement Celebration
I would love to have you join me and members of the Gilroy community at my Retirement Open House, Saturday, June 3, in the Gilroy High School Student Center.  The event is a drop-in visit, between 11 am-1 pm.   All are invited as we celebrate my time in GUSD over the last 16 years.  I hope to see you there.

I’ll be enjoying the spring weather this weekend by spending time outdoors with my family and dog.  I’ll also be watching the NCAA Sweet 16 tournaments (men and women’s college basketball).  I love March Madness!   I hope you find something fun to do as well.

Take care of each other,
 Dr. Deborah A. Flores, Ph.D.
 Superintendent
 Gilroy Unified School District