Thank you celebration for former DMUSD Superintendent Tom Bishop brings cheers and tears
A standing-room only crowd filled the Derby Room at the Del Mar Hilton recently for a thank you celebration for former Del Mar Union School District Superintendent Tom Bishop. Well-wishers greeted the Bishop family to celebrate his decade of service to the students and families of the fast-growing district. During Bishop's tenure, the district achieved highest in San Diego County student achievement scores and top 5 percent in the state scores at a time when he oversaw the opening of five new schools and the modernization of two older schools. Presenters during the formal program cheered that legacy, with many speakers from the community praising his accomplishments, while others thanked him for being the "guiding compass" of the district. the celebration included light-hearted elements, fun and tears.
Former school board member Jeanne Waite, who was president fo the board that hired Bishop commented, "At the time of Tom's hire, the district had three schools, Del Mar Heights, Del Mar Hills and Carmel Del Mar, then six years old. There was a student enrollment of approximately 1.300 students, 64 teachers, a district office staff of four full-time people, and our cutting-edge technology consisted of one fax machine in the district. The districe was poised on the brink of tremendous growth and the board recognized that a visionary leader, who would guide the district into the 21st century, was greatly needed. The school board knew that we had found the leader we were looking for in Tom Bishop, who demonstrated his leadership, intelligence and vision right from the start. We had high expectations, and we wanted to see results through the implementation of a district strategic plan."
Former board member Linda Crawford commented, "Tom proved that he was up to the task. He quickly established himself as a 'hands-on', 'in-the-trenches', superintendent, one who sought the counsel and input of staff members and parents alike, one who would bring staff, parents and community members together as stakeholders in the district's future."
Former board member Barbara Myers added her thanks for, "his extraordinary political leadership during the budget crisis of 2003, and continued leadership through his efforts with the state-wide Schools for Sound Finance, CA School Boards Assn, Superintendents Advisory Council, and High Achieving School Districts Summit at the special invitation of the CA Secretary of Education. Tom has also served the greater educational ommunity as president and executive board member of the state-wide Small School Districts Association, based in Sacramento, and he also served on county superintendent Rudy Castruita's Achievement Gap Task Force, in addition to serving as chairman of its Grant Committee. Recognizing Tom's child-centered focus and educational leadership for all children, the board nominated him for state-wide 'Superintendent of the Year' in 2001."
Myers added in her closing remarks of the celebration program, "Tom, we recognize and appreciate you outstanding career in a field that benefits so many. Your tenure has been marked by exemplary achievement and long-lasting benefit for students and families in the Del Mar school district." Bishop served as superintendent of the Del Mar Union School District from 1998 to February 2008.
-- Submitted by event organizers
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