DARRELL WONG / THE FRESNO BEE
Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson laughs at a joke at his expense while being introduced as keynote speaker at the State of Education Luncheon.
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Hanson sees FUSD progress
Fresno superintendent says he is staying with the district.
By Anne Dudley Ellis / The Fresno Bee
03/12/08 23:09:05
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Superintendent Michael Hanson described the Fresno Unified School District as emerging from "a long cold winter" as he detailed significant reforms in a state-of-education speech Wednesday.

Hanson, speaking about an hour to an audience of 300 at the Fresno Chamber of Commerce event, said the district has recovered from financial troubles and has improved student test scores, training for staff and campus environments in the past three years.

"The sun is beginning to shine on our district," said Hanson, who was hired to lead the troubled school system -- the fourth largest in the state -- in June 2005.

Craig Scharton, a former Fresno City Council member now in charge of the Central Valley Business Incubator, said after Hanson's speech he was "extremely impressed" with changes in the district.

"I was unsure Fresno Unified could ever turn around. He's managed to do it," Scharton said.

The school board recently gave Hanson, a former associate superintendent in the Elk Grove Unified School District, a 35% raise -- to $277,000 a year -- and bonuses for every year he remains amid concern that he would be lured away by another district. His contract extends through 2011.

Hanson said Wednesday he's staying put.

"The message should be loud and clear that head hunters should not call," Hanson said.

He also addressed $35 million in cuts looming for Fresno Unified if state lawmakers approve the governor's budget-reduction plan. Hanson said no employees would be laid off this spring, but an undetermined number could be reassigned.

After his speech, Hanson elaborated on the possible cuts, saying that administration costs will be slashed by $8 million and that some smaller elementary schools will have to share vice principals.

Hanson said he's pleased with test-score gains students are making: One in three are proficient in English language arts, compared to one in four three years ago.

Still, he cautioned that large, urban districts typically take eight to 10 years to make significant academic gains.

"As a community, we have to be in it for the long haul," Hanson said. "We're 2, 21/2 years into this process that will take us many, many years."

He also said that the district continues to battle other persistent problems, such as excessive numbers of students who drop out of high school.

Wednesday's luncheon was the first of what is expected to be an annual event spotlighting education, said chamber spokeswoman Angela Antenucci.

The reporter can be reached at aellis@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6328.
Hanson says Wednesday the district has recovered from financial troubles and has improved student test scores.
DARRELL WONG / THE FRESNO BEE
Hanson says Wednesday the district has recovered from financial troubles and has improved student test scores.