Sausalito Marin City School District

Enrollment

A Message from Our Superintedent, Dr. Steven Richardson

Hello Sausalito Marin City School District Family!

I am reaching out to introduce myself as the new Superintendent of the Sausalito Marin City School District (SMCSD). Since starting on October 1, I have been engaged in in-person outreach efforts in the community and I offer my apologies for the delay in this written introduction. This is my 30th year in education serving in multiple districts in the Tk-8 grade span. I have been fortunate to spend the last 17 years in a district in Southern California that mirrors the beautiful diversity of SMCSD. Over the years I have learned a great deal regarding the benefits and challenges of leading in a diverse community. I have learned that diversity creates conditions for empathy and compassion. It provides an opportunity to develop a civic and global mindset. By bringing together a broad range of perspectives diversity can raise the rigor in the classroom and support students in navigating complexity. Finally, diverse communities can enhance the ability for all students, staff and educational partners to show up authentically. No one should have to leave parts of themselves at the front door.

Diversity can also pose challenges when individuals bring a broad range of lived experiences to the school. How do we make everyone feel seen, heard and valued? And how do we ensure practices and policies that provide a benefit to some students do not harm others. These challenges can be overcome with a curious mind, compassionate heart and intentionality. Our diversity is our greatest gift.

During this past week I engaged staff and community members in listening sessions. The work of schools should be collaborative and emergent. This is human centered work. I don’t just want to hear from educational partners, I need to. Prior to the listening sessions, I am asking participants to reflect on the questions listed below. In each of these questions there is always a why.

What aspirations do you have for our students and our District?

What might be getting in the way of these aspirations?

I am asking participants to consider the framework below:

What should we keep?

What should we discard?

What should we amplify?

What should we create?

What I have learned so far:

People love and care deeply about the kids in our district. I have heard over and over teachers and staff talking about “our” kids. This says a lot about a school and its culture of care.
The community has a wonderful range of assets and deeply wants to support and partner with the district. This is a tremendous resource.

I have also learned:

We have a complex history. This is not new information for me, but it has been underscored in every conversation I’ve had.
Based on our data, conversations and the recent Marin Independent Journal article, I know we have work to do. I deeply believe that only together can we meet the needs of ALL students and create the conditions for human flourishing. I am energized to be on this journey with y’all.

The listening sessions will continue over the next month or so, including more staff, community members and of course, students. Once they are completed, I will share common trends, values and findings that emerged. This will help us write the next chapter of Sausalito Marin City District together.

Thank you to all who have made me feel so welcome in this brand new chapter of my leadership journey. It is a privilege to be the superintendent in such a vibrant community. I look forward to meeting each of you at some point. I will take this opportunity for a SAVE THE DATE announcement. The Board of Education has been kind enough to host a meet the new superintendent (and his family) event on 10/24. Location, time and details TBD. More information will be coming soon. Have a great weekend!

Best,

Steve Richardson, Ed.D.

Superintendent

SMCSD

srichardson@smcsd.org