'There are so many great things happening at Visalia Unified:' Superintendent Kirk Shrum

Visalia Unified School District held its first-ever state of the district address at Mt. Whitney High School.

During Wednesday's event, Superintendent Kirk Shrum presented a review of the 2022-2023 school year, his first with VUSD, and talked about the future of the district.

"There are so many great things happening at Visalia Unified," Shrum said. "If we don't tell our story, people may not know."

Here are the top takeaways from the inaugural address.

Student achievement

Loosening the pandemic's grip on students' learning remains a priority, Shrum told the crowd of administrators, city officials and community members.

"We are still dealing with the repercussions and consequences for student learning," he said.

Despite these shortcomings, the district did see some improvements. El Diamante High School had a double-digit increase in students who completed A-G requirements, the minimum get into a university. The district also strengthened its partnerships to increase student access to higher education.

Last year, more than 92% of students graduated from high school within a four-year cohort and nearly half met the A-G requirements. However, only 15% of those students eligible for a four-year university accessed these institutions.

To remedy this, the district partnered with UC Merced, CSU Fresno and Fresno Pacific University to establish automatic admissions for students meeting those basic requirements.

"We want our community to know that we see you, we hear you, and we are doing everything possible to get your student into a post-secondary education," Shrum said.

Here are a few other student achievement highlights:

• 53% of high school students participated in career technical education or linked learning academies

• 8 linked learning academies at all 4 comprehensive high schools.

• 1,059 student certifications earned in 40 career technical education pathways.

• 28% of students who graduated completed a career technical education pathway.

• 356 dual enrollment college credits were earned by students.

"Our goal is to transform Visalia and Tulare County from one of the lowest educational attainment communities to the highest," Shrum said. "I'm confident we have the people; we have the students."

Student and staff safety

In response to the fentanyl epidemic, the district has acquired Narcan for every school. The medication is used and is available to treat opioid overdose.

All youth service officers carry Narcan, and all school health employees have been trained on how to use it, according to the district.

In January, all Visalia Unified employees attended active shooter training known as ALICE Navigate 360. The training "empowers individuals to participate in their own survival using proactive, option-based strategies," district officials stated.

The district also invested in Raptor Technologies, which requires visitors to scan their driver's licenses and take a photo before getting onto campus. The system also screens against sex offender lists and allows office staff to manage volunteers. Administrators can also place a campus on lockdown, with the push of a button.

The program will be implemented at all Visalia Unified campuses this academic school year, according to the district.

"Making sure we know who is on our campuses is critical," Shrum said. "We know that in an emergency every second counts."

District investments

Shrum said the state of the district's finances are strong and the district is working with a $$600 million operational budget.

"It takes a team to make sure we are distributing resources equitably," Shrum said. "That every school, every student, every teacher has what they need."

The district modernized six sites and upgraded several heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Modernization efforts will continue so that students feel they are learning in innovative environments, Shrum said.

• $14 million invested in safe, supportive learning environments

• $12.8 million to hire staff, including school counselors, psychologists and social workers.

• $2 million in systems and partnerships to keep schools safe

A strong Visalia Unified School District Board

Last year, Shrum and the board spent time mapping out what it means to be a successful school system. The seven-member board unanimously approved a core beliefs and commitment policy.

• All students can achieve at high levels and demonstrate continuous growth.

• Provide high quality learning experiences that allow all students to reach their fullest potential.

• Equip students and staff with the educational tools necessary for achievement and growth.

• Family and community engagement is key to student success.

• Provide families and community members pathways of connectivity to the education system.

• Facilitate timely and consistent communication to position families to participate in their students' learning experience.

• Learning environments should be safe, supportive and innovative.

• Creating physical and social-emotional safety in all learning environments.

• Provide all students the academic and social supports needed to be successful.

• Designing learning environments that drive innovative practices to improve student outcomes.

• Ensuring all students are known by their name, welcomed each day and connected to meaningful activities.

"This is a hard-working board of education," Shrum said. "I'm privileged and proud to work for them."

The future of VUSD

In March, the district began the first round of community listening sessions. At the end of the 2022-23 school year, listening sessions were held at all 42 Visalia Unified schools.

These sessions will be used to shape the district's long-range facilities master plan. A survey was also sent out to residents, with 12,000 people submitting a response.

A master plan taskforce has reviewed more than 25,000 community comments. This fall, the data will be analyzed and used to form a draft plan, which will be taken to the board for recommendations.

Shrum said he hopes that the Forward 2030 - A Community Blue Print is a "product you can be proud of."

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Here are the takeaways from Visalia Unified's state of the district...