Morgan Hill Unified ' s Steve Betando Moving On

By Lanae Bays , Public Information Officer , Morgan Hill Unified School District

Spring , there was a theme of uncertainty that ran through our veins . Conflicting information reported in the press , experts claiming one thing , and as the research progressed , reports refuted previous facts and findings . Everyone struggled to cope with the new normal of managing their own jobs while their kids were suddenly distance learning at home , with all extra-curricular activities cancelled .

One dependable voice of reason and calm has been Morgan Hill Unified School District Superintendent Steve Betando . At the end of this academic year , Betando will be moving on to other opportunities , and the District will still likely be managing educating Morgan Hill ’ s youth in the face of COVID-19 . Since before this school year even began , Betando and his rock-solid executive team have been planning , then pivoting , sometimes without pause , as the State and County created then changed health and safety guidelines time and time again . A new leader will be taking over the helm in July 2021 , when our district will still be grappling with the return to in-person instruction , taking place this Spring , as well as the start of a new academic year .

During Betando ’ s nearly 10-year tenure with MHUSD , he has remained committed to educational access , with equity for all students at the center of his leadership . The number of 11th and 12th grade underrepresented students enrolled in AP STEM courses tripled . The Dual Immersion and Multicultural Education ( DIME ) program flourished and was increased through middle and high school . The CARE team was also established , to support individual and differentiated intervention for underprivileged students and families .

Under Betando ’ s leadership , all four comprehensive secondary schools achieved California ’ s highest award of Gold Ribbon Schools . The District received two State Golden Bell Awards , one as State model for Multi- Tiered Systems of Support , and one as the State exemplary Local Control Accountability Plan ( LCAP ). MHUSD received a $ 1 million visual and performing arts grant for elementary and middle schools , which was used to develop and implement sustainable programs . Betando implemented Measure G Bond funds which structured the information technology backbone , sustainable oneto-one device deployment for students and staff , and rebuilding or renovating projects at each K-12 campus .

" One dependable voice of reason and calm has been Morgan Hill Unified School District Superintendent Steve Betando ."

Betando also had many successes with parent engagement . Never one to hide in his office , he was a regular face at each of the 14 schools ’ events and community meetings such as Rotary and Chamber . He supported training programs for parents , which included Project2Inspire , the Parent Project ; Parent Institute for Quality Education and developed and adopted the award-winning Project Imagine . He forged a vital online Parent Information and Education Portal .

As the leader of Morgan Hill ’ s largest employer , Superintendent Betando recruited and hired over 400 employees , including administrators . He negotiated a cumulative percentage salary increase of over 30 % for all employees . He aligned and increased health benefits across employee groups .

A bright spot in the 2019-2020 academic year was Betando ’ s unwavering commitment to celebrate the class of 2020 despite shelter-in-place and county health restrictions . Betando inspired the creativity among many to celebrate within MHUSD ’ s limitations and make the best of the situation . Staff and community came together for a live streaming video of pomp and circumstance , the conferring of diplomas and a car parade through downtown .

At the time of this article , Santa Clara County has returned to the Orange Tier under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy . We are facing the return of all students on some level , which the Board approved early in February , while our Early Return to In-Person Instruction Pilot program has continued to grow successfully . Looking ahead , MHUSD ’ s next leader has yet to be identified , but we are certain that they will have big shoes to fill .

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2021 gmhtoday . com

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