We are a community of people who care...
After listening carefully as students, parents, and community members voiced
their concern about the recent Wall Street Journal article “The New White Flight”
at the December 6, 2005 and January 10, 2006 Board meetings, the
Fremont Union High School Board of Trustees issued the following statement:

1. The Board of Trustees knows that mistakes have been made. Board Members wish to publicly own these mistakes and absorb the anger and hurt of our community.
2. The Board of Trustees is proud of our community and our high performing schools. Board Members celebrate the outstanding achievement and accomplishments of all of our students.
3. The Board of Trustees is committed to developing policies and procedures for more effective communication with the press and increasing internal communication within the District.                (e.g. staff/Board, staff/ parents, parents/Board)

Focus on Long Range Plan Targeted Goal:
Ensure effective communication with our families and community partners.
(Visionary Goal #3)

Develop new strategies to communicate with, invite, and engage parents and particular ethnic and cultural groups that historically have been disenfranchised from our schools. Emphasize direct, personal communication. (Visionary Goal #3)

4. The Board of Trustees continues to be committed to the Long Range Plan and to focus on the areas that address diversity.    

   Recognize and celebrate cultural diversity to honor and participate with a variety of important ethnic and cultural groups and families in our school district community. (Visionary Goal #3)

   The Board asked staff to provide a list of school activities addressing these areas. This list was passed out at the January 10th Board meeting

5. The Board will work with staff to ensure that our leadership team has continuing training and awareness regarding diversity issues that affect our students, parents, and community. This work should include assessment of additional needs in these areas and opportunities to address these needs.
   
   Student Board Member Helen Yang stated, “Districtwide students are angry that this article
   was published nationwide putting a bad face to our high schools, but many students believe
   instead of being angry with the journalist or what was printed in the article, we need to focus
   on underlying areas such as academic pressure.”
   
   Superintendent Dr. Steve Rowley confirmed “I am confident that anyone familiar with our schools and those quoted in the article will see through its distortions to affirm the quality of our schools and the Cupertino community. On the positive side, this article can serve as a reminder that the unity of our community and its rich, multicultural heritage is something not to be taken for granted.”