Farewell letter from SDUHSD Superintendent Rick Schmitt

Dear Friends,

It is with both a sense of sadness and excitement that I bid farewell to our San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) community to accept the position of Superintendent in San Ramon.

As I’m sure many of you are aware, I have worked very hard over the past 13 years to support the students, staff, and parents of the SDUHSD. I could not have succeeded so readily without the support and guidance of my co-workers, Penny Cooper-Francisco, Jill Contway, Bob Croft, Terry King, Lesley Rhodes, Peggy Lynch, Ken Noah, Eric Dill, Mike Grove, Torrie Norton, Joann Schultz, Matt Colwell, and Jason Viloria, for the guidance they extended to me and for the countless hours of support and encouragement that they gave so freely. I was extraordinarily lucky to have such able, unselfish, and dedicated partners.

I would especially like to thank Board of Trustees, Joyce Dalessandro and Beth Hergesheimer for giving me the opportunity to work at such an incredible school district. Ms. Dalessandro and Ms. Hergesheimer were board members when I was first appointed to the SDUHSD Cabinet in 2006. I would also like to thank each of you who took the time to offer me patient support, good will, and wisdom. You, the teachers and staff of the SDUHSD are unquestionably the brightest, most innovative, hardest working professionals with which I have ever worked. Finally, I would like to thank the wonderful students and their parents who shared their thoughts and lives with me, enlightened me and improved me not only as a school leader, but more importantly, as a person.

I feel extremely fortunate to have worked at the SDUHSD during its renaissance of innovation and creativity, while continuing to honor the district’s history and tradition. The past 13 years have been among the happiest and most challenging of my career, even when the work proved challenging. As I move on to a new phase in my life, my memories of the SDHUSD will remain rich and full. I always tried to put students first, listen to parents all while supporting staff and recognizing the positive impact each of you had on our students.

Please stay passionate, active, involved, and informed. I’m looking forward to finishing strong right up to my last day on June 30, 2016.

With fond memories,

Rick Schmitt,

SDUHSD, 2003-2016