HIP's Statement on Superintendent Raymond’s Resignation

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2013

Contact: Jonathan Tran, (916) 668-9447

Press Release

Statement on Superintendent Raymond’s Resignation

SACRAMENTO, CA – During his tenure as Superintendent, Mr. Raymond made important progress for several of his “priority schools.” Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP) applauds his efforts and attention to a handful of schools that had been historically disenfranchised and starved of essential resources. Furthermore, while HIP opposed the process by which Mr. Raymond and the School Board closed seven neighborhood schools, we recognize that Mr. Raymond remained cordial in all of our interactions.

It must be noted however, that throughout the school closure process, Mr. Raymond repeatedly promised displaced students, parents and families that they would have his unwavering support and attention during this very tumultuous time. His abrupt departure in the midst of the transition process is a reversal of that commitment. Many of the displaced students are still adjusting to their new schools and no plans have been formalized for the seven vacant campuses.  Additionally, Mr. Raymond’s resignation comes at a very capricious moment for Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) with several important policy issues still unresolved—including the implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula and the Common Core Waiver.

Moving forward, HIP hopes the SCUSD Board of Education will seek out a non-divisive leader who is committed to reducing educational disparities, elevating the engagement of limited-English proficient families and prioritizing all schools. As HIP organizer Mai Yang Vang describes, “Any incoming superintendent needs to understand that in order to resolve the District’s significant challenges—students, parents, teachers and community members must be part of the solution. It is imperative that the Board of Education identify a superintendent that inspires true collaboration and is responsive to the needs of all students in Sacramento.”

HIP sincerely thanks Mr. Raymond for his public service and wishes him and his family well during his transition.

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 **HIP is a grassroots-organizing group whose mission is to strengthen the political power of Hmong and disenfranchised communities through innovative civic engagement and strategic grassroots mobilization. We envision a Sacramento of empowered communities that thrive in a socially and economically just democracy.**