After about 18 months on the job, Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Dan Burns believes that his vision for the district is still strong and on track and aligns with the Mission Trails ROP/CTE new mission statement.

Salinas, CA, January 8, 2019 — After about 18 months on the job, Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Dan Burns believes that his vision for the district is still strong and on track and aligns with the Mission Trails ROP/CTE new mission statement.

“The district’s mission aligns exactly with Mission Trails ROP/CTE’s mission statement, that all students will graduate college-ready and career-ready,” he said. “ROP has been doing a good job of aligning with the mission of the district, which is that the district develops educated learners to the highest standards, preparing them to achieve their life’s aspirations and to be productive citizens in a global society.”

The new ROP mission statement is simple and to the point: “Mission Trails ROP/CTE prepares students to be career-ready by providing them with relevant skills.”

Part of fulfilling those missions is to improve and expand the district’s facilities. Currently, the district has begun construction on expanding its Continuation High School, adding a multi-purpose room and cafeteria; the new 6,240 square-foot CTE and Health & Public Service Laboratory is under construction; and the new Rancho San Juan High School, the fifth high school in the district, scheduled to open in August 2019.

Burns said the facilities expansion not only allows the district to expand its existing programs, but to introduce new programs.

“The board is committed to expand career education programs,” he said. “We’ve set the bar high to be an exemplary learning environment for both students and staff.”

Burns said one of the goals of the district now is “How do we refine and get better at what we do?”

“It’s a big school district, but we believe we’re a district on the move,” he says, pointing out the new high school and $50 million in bond funding for modernizing at all the district’s high school. “There’s a lot of positive energy to improving the learning conditions for students here in Salinas.”

The Board of Trustees of the Salinas Union High School District unanimously appointed Burns as the District’s new Superintendent, effective July 1, 2017.

Burns is entering his 27th year in the school district. He started in the district as a classified employee as a Guidance Technician at El Sausal Middle School. He was also a dropout prevention counselor, a teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, and an Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services. After one year as superintendent of the Jefferson Union High School District in 2016, Burns returned to the Salinas district.

Burns has been recognized for his contributions and leadership. He was recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) as the High School Principal of the Year in 2011 and as the Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent of the Year in 2016. Additionally, Burns has been a presenter for WestEd, the Central Coast Section (CCS) Sportsmanship Committee, and ACSA. He also has been a principal mentor for new principals through ACSA. Beyond his professional duties, he has been active in his community as well.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

https://www.salinasuhsd.org/