The Four Smalls and Why We're Different

In Santa Cruz County we have four small, single school districts.  Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District has one school, Bonny Doon School.  The word "union" refers to the fact that Bonny Doon used to have a district with four tiny schools which, in 1947, joined together to create one larger school. The other "smalls" are Happy Valley, Mountain, and Pacific. Each of the smalls is led by a superintendent/principal.

The superintendent/principals at each school have multiple responsibilities including: being a instructional leader and observing and evaluating staff, interacting with and supporting students, and running the school on a day to day basis; acting as Chief Business Officer (CBO) and managing the district budget: managing all facilities and ensuring they are in good condition at all times; working as the special education director to manage the school's special education program; working with the school board; and, taking care of other student, personnel, facilities, and other issues that arise.  The down side of this is that we can be pulled in many different directions at once, potentially taking time away from the things we feel are more important.  Also, we don't have the personnel that bigger districts have to provide help with things like curriculum and tech support, for instance.  This is a "jack-of-all-trades" position, and although it can be very challenging at times, it's an amazing, unique opportunity to affect positive change.

As single school districts, we have a great amount of autonomy to make the decisions that we know are best for kids.  At Bonny Doon School, this means that we have the freedom to include science, life lab, music, art, and performing arts in the curriculum in order to provide a well rounded education for students and one that values creativity as well as challenge.  Our teachers are devoted to their students and committed to continuing their own professional development. Our other staff members love getting to know all of the students in the school.  We are lucky to have a large number of involved and supportive parents and guardians who volunteer their valuable time on a regular basis. And best of all, we have students who come to school ready to learn and are a joy to teach.

In my opinion, working for a small, single school district is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a great privilege.  I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the students at Bonny Doon School.