Your Voice Matters: Complete Our OPUSD Superintenden...

Dear OPUSD Community,  Following up on my email from November 27, I am requesting your participation in an essential task: providing input for selecting our next superintendent. We value diverse perspectives and are reaching out to you- our students, staff, parents, and community members- as your insights and opinions are essential in identifying a leader who embodies our school district's values and goals.  To facilitate this, we've created an anonymous online survey for you to share your thoughts on the qualities and qualifications crucial for our next superintendent. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at the link below:  Survey Link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/628R6JS .  The survey is available from today through December 21, 2023 (at 4:00 p.m.).  From January 16-19, our search firm, Leadership Associates, will conduct educational partner group meetings in person and online (Zoom) for deeper discussion and feedback. I will send another email in early January with details on how to participate in those meetings. In the meantime, as we begin the holiday season, I wish everyone in our school community a well-deserved, restful winter vacation. I hope everyone enjoys the holiday time and has a Happy New Year. Warmest regards, Denise Helfstein President, Oak Park Unified School District Governing Board 

Thursday, Dec 07 2023

OPUSD Superintendent Search Update - Message from Bo...

Dear OPUSD Community,  On November 27, the OPUSD School Board held a special meeting to begin the process of selecting a new Superintendent. We established the selection timeline and process by collaborating with our search consultants, Bill Banning and Sandy Thorstenson from Leadership Associates. During the meeting, we also started to define the qualities we're looking for in a new superintendent, identified key groups whose input we will seek via focus groups to help shape a candidate profile, and finalized an online survey to gather perspectives from our educational partners about their expectations for a new superintendent. As mentioned above, developing a candidate profile is one of the most important steps in the initial search process. It involves Leadership Associates collecting input from all of our educational partners, including specific focus groups ( listed here ). You can assist the Board in the Superintendent selection process by giving feedback in two ways: Take the anonymous online survey, which will open on  December 6, 2023 . An email will be sent in December notifying you that the survey is open.  Participate in educational partner group meetings. In January, another email will be sent to you with additional information about these "focus group" meetings and how to sign up to attend one. Based on this input, Leadership Associates will develop a proposed candidate profile for the Board's review, along with all of the gathered information and data. The Board will finalize the profile, which will then be published and shared with applicants applying for the position and used by Leadership Associates to evaluate candidate alignment with the established criteria as stated in the profile. Once we have the summary results from the survey and the consultant's meetings with all our educational partners, we will publish the summary results along with the candidate profile.  Leadership Associates will perform candidate background checks, analyze the applicant's experience, and present this information to the Board, along with their notes regarding their alignment with the profile. The Board will then review candidates, select some people for interviews, conduct the interviews, and make a final selection. A detailed timeline for all of the above can be found  here , but the significant dates are as follows:   December 6 - 21, January 16-19 Online survey will be open January 16-19 Leadership Associates confers with educational partner groups February 12, 5:00 pm  Application deadline Mid-February  Background checks and candidate review by Leadership Associates February 27 Candidates are presented to the Board in closed session March 23 - March 24 Board Interviews in closed session Early April Board expected to select a new Superintendent April 16 Board expected to approve contract with new Superintendent Please know that the Board has opted to make this a confidential search process. None of the names of the candidates will be disclosed. This ensures that we attract a large, qualified, and diverse candidate pool.  We are excited about this search process and continue to look forward to working collaboratively with all of you in the search for a new Superintendent. Our next email to you will be on or about December 6th, with a link to the online survey.  Warmest regards, Denise Helfstein President, Oak Park Unified School District Governing Board

Thursday, Nov 30 2023

Superintendent's Message: A Season of Joy and Reflec...

Dear OPUSD Community, As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary spirit of our OPUSD community. This year, especially, has highlighted our district's remarkable capacity for community, kindness, and resilience. The unwavering dedication of our staff, the vibrant enthusiasm of our students, and your steadfast support as families are the pillars of the strength and diversity we cherish in our learning community. This Thanksgiving season reminds us of the small yet significant moments that define our shared experiences: the joy in our school hallways, the inquisitive energy in our classrooms, and the collective support that binds us together. I am profoundly grateful for our joint commitment to creating an environment where every student feels valued, heard, and inspired. As we gather with our loved ones during this holiday season, let us celebrate these connections and the blessings they bring into our lives. The holiday season is a special time for reflection and cherishing family and friends' warmth. It's a time to create lasting memories and savor life's simple joys. As your Superintendent, I am reminded to embrace and appreciate the diverse ways in which this time of year is celebrated and experienced by our families. On behalf of the Board of Education and my Leadership Team, I wish you a restful and rewarding Thanksgiving break. Schools will be closed from November 20-24 , and we look forward to welcoming our students and families back on Monday, November 27 . May you have a peaceful, joyous Thanksgiving surrounded by those dear to you. Let this time be one of support, upliftment, and heartfelt connections. Warm regards, Dr. Jeff Davis Superintendent, Oak Park Unified School District

Friday, Nov 17 2023

Safety Update - Lockdown at Agoura High School in LVUSD

Dear OPUSD Community,  We want to provide an important update regarding a recent security incident at Agoura High School.  This morning, Agoura High School in the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) received a threatening phone call, leading to an immediate campus lockdown. Law enforcement, including deputies from the L.A. County Sheriff's Lost Hills station, promptly responded and conducted a thorough sweep of the campus. Other schools at LVUSD near Agoura High School were also placed on a soft lockdown as a precautionary measure. The Lost Hills Sheriff's investigation found no credible threat, and it has been confirmed that the lockdowns have been lifted at all affected schools. The authorities determined that an individual made the call with no connection to Agoura High School. It has also been reported that similar calls were made to two San Fernando Valley schools, Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks and Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills. We have received no report indicating any of these threats were credible.  No schools in our district have received any such calls or threats. However, in response to these threats and out of an abundance of caution, we have requested an increased patrol in the coming days. The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. I know that these events can be very unsettling for our community. Our safest tool in events such as these is communication, and we want to ensure that you have the information being shared by the district.  Please see the message from LVUSD Superintendent Dr. Dan Stepenosky about this incident.  Sincerely,  Dr. Jeff Davis  Superintendent  LVUSD Student Safety and Security   Dear LVUSD Staff and Families, The safety and security of our students is always of the utmost importance. This morning Agoura High School received a phone call where a threat was made to the campus. Staff immediately contacted law enforcement and put the campus on lockdown. Law enforcement arrived immediately to begin sweeping the campus and to determine the credibility of the threat. The surrounding schools were placed on a soft lockdown, out of an abundance of caution.  After consultation with law enforcement and a thorough investigation, the lockdown has been lifted at all schools. The investigation determined that the call was made by an individual who has no connection to Agoura High School. Lost Hills Sheriffs also shared that other Southern California high schools outside of LVUSD received the same phone call today. No hate speech was referenced by the caller, and specifics were limited. This all said, out of an abundance of caution we will have a heightened law enforcement presence on all campuses for the days ahead.  I know that these events can be very unsettling for our community. Please know that all systems were effective this morning in providing immediate response, alert, triage, and communication.  Our safest tool in events such as these is communication. Please encourage your children to remain vigilant in  saying something  if they  see something .  All campuses are supporting students in safely wrapping up today's learning. Thank you for your partnership and support.  Sincerely, Dr. Dan Stepenosky Superintendent of Schools

Tuesday, Nov 14 2023

OPUSD's Superintendent Search Process and Partnershi...

November 8, 2023 Dear OPUSD Community As you are aware, Superintendent Dr. Jeff Davis will retire at the end of June. With this transition on the horizon, the Board of Education is undertaking one of its most vital tasks - selecting a new Superintendent. Hiring a Superintendent is a significant responsibility, and although the Board ultimately decides, we are dedicated to a collaborative and transparent process. Our goal is to find an exceptional leader who will continue to elevate our district's standard of excellence.   Toward this end, the Board convened a special meeting last night to discuss the course for the upcoming search. After carefully considering it, the Board decided to engage a search firm to guide our efforts.   Leadership Associates , a reputable search firm with a solid track record in California, will facilitate our search for a new Superintendent. Leadership Associates was instrumental in our previous search that brought Dr. Davis to our district and has successfully conducted over 650 successful searches throughout the state. We trust Leadership Associates will extend our reach and enrich our search process, ensuring we identify a leader who is not only highly qualified but also the right fit for OPUSD.  Leadership Associates' background:  Leadership Associates has been at the forefront of executive searches since 1996, placing 57 superintendents in the 2022-23 year alone. Their mission is to assist school boards, superintendents, and other senior executives in securing high-caliber, equity-focused leaders committed to fostering student success. The firm's testimonials speak volumes, affirming its status as a premier search firm chosen by the majority of districts in California. These endorsements highlight their unwavering commitment to excellence, strategic focus on diversity, and inclusive approach to community engagement. Leadership Associates' commitment to OPUSD: A partnership approach tailored to OPUSD's specific leadership needs, ensuring a match that resonates with our district's values and goals. Provision of an extensive and diverse candidate pool, drawing from a wealth of experienced educational leaders. Access to their expansive network guarantees immediate dissemination of the vacancy, thereby maximizing reach and attracting a robust response. The benefit of their deep California roots and national reach contribute to a consistent record of successful placements. The support of 17 partners across California, each bringing a wealth of experience and a comprehensive support network to our search efforts. A search process led by firm partners who are all former successful superintendents and who maintain active engagement in California's public education system, ensuring a deeply invested interest in the success of our search. An exceptional community engagement track record ensures that a broad spectrum of community voices and perspectives are included in the search process. A steadfast commitment to diversity and equity, with a focus on identifying leaders who will champion the success of every student in our diverse student population. Leadership Associates' guidance and comprehensive process : Conducting extensive interviews, deploying an online survey, and reaching out personally to district employees, parents/guardians, students, residents, and community leaders to ascertain their desired attributes for our next Superintendent. Launching an expansive recruitment campaign with personal outreach, widespread advertising, rigorous vetting, and thorough reference checks. Facilitating the presentation of candidates, Board interviews, and the final selection process, all tailored to the specific needs of our unique learning community. District staff are in the process of finalizing a formal contract, which the Board will be asked to approve at our regular board meeting  on November 14, 2023 . I will share a definitive timeline after the Board's initial strategy session with Leadership Associates scheduled for a special Board meeting to be held  on November 27, 2023 . The selection process will begin following approval, utilizing Leadership Associates' nine-phase methodology highlighted below. Please note that these dates are tentative and may shift due to various factors or unforeseen circumstances. This message is the first of many updates designed to keep you well-informed about the Superintendent search process.  I will provide the next update following the  Board's  November 27th meeting . In particular, I will share more details on opportunities for our educational partners to give their input into the desired attributes we are looking for in our new Superintendent. Your involvement is important to us, and we welcome your participation at various points in this journey. Together, we are committed to selecting a Superintendent who exemplifies the distinct and exceptional characteristics of OPUSD.  Warmest regards,  Denise Helfstein President, Oak Park Unified School District Governing Board

Thursday, Nov 09 2023