San Bruno school chief exits: Elementary district’s top official Cheryl Olson leaving at end of the school year

Olson, who in 2015 replaced former superintendent David Hutt as the head of the historically cash-strapped district, issued an emotional departure declaration to the school community.

“My life and career are forever changed for the better because I have had the honor to serve as your superintendent these past two years,” she said in a prepared statement. “This is a wonderful school community. Decisions are not always easy, but I believe this is one that is important for my career and I hope the school district community will give me their blessing and good wishes as I move on.”

Prior to coming to San Bruno, Olson worked as an assistant superintendent at the Enterprise Elementary School District in Redding.

School board President Henry Sanchez expressed his support for Olson accepting a job she considers a better opportunity.

“We want the very best for Cheryl, and when new opportunities come by, you take advantage,” he said.

Sanchez lauded Olson’s leadership through a difficult time when the district faced a variety of hurdles because of a limited budget by laying the groundwork to improve the school system’s financial footing.

“We still have a challenge obviously in changing our fiscal budgetary needs and moving forward with that,” he said. “We have plans to address that, which she helped initiate through consensus building throughout the community of San Bruno.”

Sanchez credited Olson’s capability in working with the San Mateo County Office of Education, which was recently brought in to address the district’s spending shortfall following years of financial issues.

Monetary shortcomings have been an ongoing source of contention in the district, roiling both teachers and parents due to disputes over programmatic changes and contractual issues.

The school community recently lashed out at a decision by Olson and other school officials to restrict intra-district transfer opportunities for students attending Portola and Belle Air elementary schools.

Officials sent home notices with the young students earlier this month explaining class consolidation was necessary to cut costs, and that they would not be allowed to return to their campus next year.

Parents were frustrated not only with the notice, but the way it was issued to young students without advance warning, as well as the timing which they claimed precluded them from seeking preferred alternate schools.

Olson had said officials were sensitive to parents’ concerns, but believed the decision was necessary to help resolve a portion of the district’s systemic spending issues.

The concerns were raised only weeks after teachers and district officials came to odds over a contract dispute, in which educators claimed they were underpaid. The two sides met in mediated contract discussions before finally settling an agreement to issue a 2.2 percent bonus at the end of the school year and a 1.5 percent raise next year, followed by another 1.5 percent bonus at next year’s end.

A representative for the teachers’ bargaining team characterized the raises as modest, and expressed a desire for officials to make a greater, ongoing commitment to teacher salary in the future.

Contract strife has been an constant issue in the district, leading at least back to when Olson was hired shortly after educators threatened to strike over perceived inadequate compensation.

To address the budget limitations, Olson recently hired a polling consultant to examine the feasibility of passing a bond or parcel tax measure to offset some of the financial burden. Poll results are due in the coming weeks, and Olson has said they will determine any future action officials take regarding future pursuit of the measure.

Sanchez cited the potential tax as well as systemic shifts in fiscal management as keys to overhauling the district’s financial struggles. Looking ahead though, he cited Olson’s leadership as a potential source of inspiration for improvements.

“The community has to come together with the board, and a new superintendent in a positive way to accomplish these components that make the school district strong,” he said.

He expects a consulting firm will be hired to lead the search for Olson’s replacement.

For her part, Olson said she appreciated the backing she has received from the local school community.

“I am deeply grateful for the support I have received from every sector of the San Bruno community while I have been here,” she said.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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