We begin the 2010-11 school year knowing it will be a critical time in many ways. Academically, we are at an exciting crossroads. Financially, we face unprecedented challenges. But on another front, our Capital Improvement Program is reaching high productivity with major construction projects at all ends of the district.

Academically, our progress has been steady and impressive. Our teachers, principals and the rest of the Educational Services team have spent nearly two years immersed in the DAIT (District Assistance and Intervention Team) process so we can shed the state's Program Improvement designation. As a result of hard work and tremendous focus by all, our 2009 test scores showed improvement across the entire district and launched several schools as well as our districtwide English learner population into "Safe Harbor," a designation given to reward significant progress. With the outstanding work continuing, we look forward to the release of our 2010 scores knowing that they will reflect even more gains.

At the same time, the state budget crisis looms for us as it does for every school district in California. Because of our history of sound fiscal management, we have so far had enough money in our reserves to carry out the Board of Education's priority of protecting jobs. But this year will bring some tough decisions because those reserves will reach a critical level. We can still continue to protect jobs, but it will be essential that we move forward in a spirit of teamwork, communication and cooperation in order to protect both the jobs our employees depend on and the programs and services that our students need and expect. We will continue to post updates on the district website and to make these issues a topic of discussion at our Board of Education meetings. I encourage everyone to stay informed because the process of building next year's budget will begin early and involve many important issues.

Finally, thanks to the community's generosity in giving us first Measure B in 2001 and then Measure G in 2008, we are lucky enough to have funds designated specifically for much needed facilities projects. Grand Terrace High School continues to progress and is still scheduled to open in September 2011. Construction is beginning this summer on the new Math and Science Building at Bloomington High School. We also plan to begin construction on Middle School #5 this fall and on the Colton High School Math and Science Building this winter.

All of this follows our district's strategic plan, which we constructed in 2007-08 with the help of community members and parents. So far we have completed more than half of the hundreds of steps outlined in six key areas, including curriculum and facilities.

Balancing all of this is a responsibility that each of us shares. The Executive Cabinet, which includes the assistant superintendents and myself, take confidence from the fact that the Colton Joint Unified School District is a team of some of the most passionate, talented people around, from students and parents to certificated, classified and management. I thank you for your support and look forward to the year to come.