Superintendent Burns praises new ROP mission statement, says District is committed

1. Superintendent Burns praises new ROP mission statement, says District is committed to expanding Career EducationOpportunities After about 18 months on the job, Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Dan Burns believes that his vision for the district is still strong and on track and aligns with the Mission Trails ROP/CTE new missionstatement. Salinas, CA, January 8,2019 — After about 18 months on the job, Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Dan Burns believes that his vision for the district is still strong and on track and aligns with the Mission Trails ROP/CTE new missionstatement. “The district’s mission aligns exactly with Mission Trails ROP/CTE’s mission statement, that all students will graduate college-ready and career-ready,” he said. “ROP has been doing a good job of aligning with themissionofthedistrict,whichisthatthedistrictdevelops educatedlearners tothehighest standards, preparingthemto achievetheirlife'saspirationsandto beproductivecitizensinaglobalsociety.” The new ROP mission statement is simple and to the point: “Mission Trails ROP/CTE preparesstudents to becareer-readybyprovidingthemwithrelevantskills.” Part of fulfilling those missions is to improve and expand the district’s facilities. Currently, the district has begun construction on expanding its Continuation High School, adding a multi-purpose room and cafeteria; the new 6,240 square-foot CTE and Health &Public Service Laboratory is under construction; and the new Rancho San Juan High School, the fifth high school in the district, scheduled to open in August2019. Burns saidthefacilitiesexpansion notonlyallowsthedistricttoexpand itsexistingprograms, butto introduce newprograms. “Theboardiscommittedtoexpandcareereducationprograms,”hesaid.“We’vesetthebarhightobe an exemplary learning environment forboth students and staff.” Burns said one of the goals of the district now is “How do we refine and get better at what we do?” “It’sabigschooldistrict,butwebelievewe’readistrictonthemove,”hesays,pointingoutthenew highschooland$50 millioninbondfundingformodernizingatallthedistrict’shighschool.“There’sa lotofpositiveenergytoimprovingthelearningconditionsforstudentshereinSalinas.” The Board of Trustees of the Salinas Union High School District unanimously appointedBurns as the District’s new Superintendent, effective July 1,2017.

2. Burns is entering his 27th year in the school district. He started in the district as a classified employeeas a Guidance Technician at El Sausal Middle School. He was also a dropout prevention counselor, a teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, and an Associate Superintendent for InstructionalServices. AfteroneyearassuperintendentoftheJeffersonUnionHighSchoolDistrictin2016,Burnsreturnedto the Salinasdistrict. Burns has been recognized for his contributions and leadership. He was recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) as the High School Principal of the Year in 2011 and as the Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent of the Year in 2016. Additionally, Burns has been a presenter for WestEd, the Central Coast Section (CCS) Sportsmanship Committee, and ACSA. He also has been a principal mentor for new principals through ACSA. Beyond his professional duties, he has been active in his community aswell. Contact: Marci BraccoCain Chatterbox PR Salinas, CA93901 (831)747-7455 https://www.salinasuhsd.org/ ###