Release: #04-55
July 1, 2004

Contact: Tina Jung
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today officially turned over control of the formerly financially troubled Emery Unified School District to the district's governing board.

In this final stage of transition to local power, the governing board now resumes control over its fiscal responsibilities, powers, rights, duties, and obligations as of today. Over the past few months, the governing board had already resumed responsibility for the district's curriculum and instruction, and the hiring of teachers and staff.

"Emery Unified School District has made a remarkable recovery that should serve as a model to other school districts," said O'Connell. "Student achievement has risen over the past few years at the same time the district's finances were put in order. Emery also has demonstrated sound management practices and worked closely with community and business leaders, resulting in a show of faith by voters who passed a parcel tax in the last election."

Comparing the latest district figures available for the state's Academic Performance Index from 2002 to 2003, which measures student performance, Emery showed an exceptional 10-point growth from 589 to 599 in English language arts and math. This means the school district met and exceeded the federal Adequate Yearly Progress criteria for the API measurements. The percentage of students passing the California High School Exit Exam increased from 16 percent in math in 2001 to 46 percent in 2003. In English language arts, the percentage increased from 33 percent in 2001 to 50 percent in 2003.

Emery resolved its fiscal problems in its three years under state administration because of strong leadership, extensive planning, and a close working relationship between State Administrator John Quinn and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team. The school district's partnerships with the city of Emeryville, corporate sponsors, and a voter-approved parcel tax last year were all major factors in the district's return to fiscal solvency.

In 2001, Emery Unified incurred a $1.5 million deficit and turned to the state for an emergency loan. As a result, a state administrator was appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to run the district. Emery made substantial progress toward returning to financial solvency and submitted a positive certification in June that it will meet its financial obligations, while maintaining a mandatory reserve account over several years. This year, Emery is expected to end the year with a positive fund balance of about $1.1 million.

Also today, Dr. Anthony M. Smith will assume responsibilities of superintendent of the district. The Emery Board of Education recently selected him among a field of 27 applicants. His strong knowledge of the district's academic and fiscal needs, plus his active involvement in the district's educational improvement planning and community partnerships for the past four years, made him a prime candidate. Dr. Smith replaces outgoing State Administrator Quinn, who will remain as a part-time state-appointed trustee with financial oversight responsibilities until such time that the state loan to Emery is fully repaid.