After 40 Years at JUHSD, Superintendent Mike Crilly Announces Retirement

Jefferson Union High School District staff received a surprise in their inboxes this afternoon: A letter from Superintendent Mike Crilly, who has worked at the district and its schools for 40 years, in which he announced his intention to retire at the end of this school year.

Crilly has led the district's schools, which include Pacifica's Oceana High School and Terra Nova High School, through trying budget cuts over the last few years and a disappointing loss on Nov. 2, 2010, when a parcel tax that would have helped restore core services at district schools failed to win the approval of voters. 

Here is the letter that staff received in its entirety"

"Dear Staff,

After nearly forty years in the Jefferson Union High School District, I have decided to retire at the end of this current school year.  I will be announcing this tonight during our regular school board meeting.  Before announcing this publicly, however, I wanted to be able to tell all the staff in the district first. Although not as personal as I would like, the age of e-mail allows me to tell everyone in the district at the same time. And so I send this e-mail.

I feel very blessed to have spent my entire professional career with the Jefferson Union High School District.  I was very lucky to have first begun as a student teacher at Oceana in fall of 1971, and to have eventually found a full-time teaching position at Oceana after substituting there for a year. Teaching English and serving as Director of Student Activities at Oceana in my early years grounded me in the most important aspects of our district . . . the students, and taught me much about the dedication of the staff. My experiences as vice principal and principal both at Oceana and Westmoor, broadened my understanding of the district and allowed me the opportunity to get to know an expanding  number of colleagues both certificated and classified, and to appreciate even more the work done for our students. Serving one year as Associate Superintendent allowed me to gain a sense of the district as a whole, and to appreciate the value of the entire district-wide family. These past seventeen years as Superintendent have been both exciting and challenging. I have had the opportunity to work with such caring and dedicated staff. These years have seen more than enough challenge, particularly in the area of school finance, but they have also allowed me to see the tremendous passion and dedication of the staff who serve our students.  It has been my honor to work with so many fine staff, past and present, who no matter their role give their very best for our students on a daily basis, year in and year out.

When I first came to the district, I had a girl friend who soon became my wife. In the years that followed we raised three wonderful daughters. Those three daughters are now building families of their own and we have become grandparents. Our oldest daughter has two children, our middle daughter has a baby due in July, and our youngest daughter will be married in June.  My family, and especially my wife, Pat, have always been very understanding and accepting of the hours required in each of the roles in which I have served.  It is now time for me to spend a little more time with my family.  My wife will also retire from her job at the end of June.

As I approach the final months of this school year there is much to do. In addition to the normal activities and challenges of the district, my single most important focus must be on winning the May 3rd Parcel Tax Election. A victory in this respect will secure smoother waters going forward, regardless of the decisions of the State.  I pledge to work 150% in this effort. I would ask you to help in the many ways that will also be available to you.

As I announce my retirement tonight, it is with the greatest respect and admiration for the work you do and continue to do for the students of this district. It has been my honor to work with such a dedicated, talented and passionate family of employees.

Michael J. Crilly, Superintendent
Jefferson Union High School District"