Superintendent looks to the future

After more than seven weeks as Douglas County School District Superintendent Frankie Alvarado’s motto is looking to the future and not the past.

“My eyes are on the front windshield and I’m not looking in the rearview mirror,” said Alvarado. “I can only speak from when I was hired to now and moving forward.”

Alvarado was hired as the new superintendent during the July 9 school board meeting, where school board trustees approved a four-year contract for him.

Since taking the position, Alvarado said he has already filled leadership positions throughout the district and is working on ways to lower legal fees.

“My goal is to mitigate damages against the district by brainstorming in-house before bringing it to legal counsel, but also so that it follows the law and addresses and meets the needs,” he said.

Other goals Alvarado is focused on is addressing staffing shortages and student absences while building connections inside and outside of the school environment and minimize tension felt throughout the district.

“I come with positive intent,” he said. “I’m trying to bridge the gap and minimize the divide. There has never been a more important time then now to focus on relationships and that means with students, parents, families, teachers, staff, and the community. And if we put our kids at the center, practice accountability, and adopt an all-in philosophy for what is best for the school district then we can move forward.”

In retaining teachers, Alvarado said he is looking forward to uncovering why teachers are leaving or not coming here.

“We already have many highly qualified teachers here,” he said. “The goal is to find out the root causes of the shortage and address them.”

Regarding student absences, Alvarado said the focus is to build a relationship with the student and the parents, clarify expectations of all parties, support the student, and celebrate their achievements.

“We want kids to succeed not only in school, but in their lives and to do that it requires maintaining a relationship and making expectations clear,” he said.

Alvarado said he is looking forward to different programs being implemented throughout the district, such as the fire science program being offered at Whittell High School.

“Programs like that will not only help the community, but it creates a program for students to get excited about and possibly pursue after they graduate,” he said. “It opens up multiple doors and avenues.”

Alvarado grew up in San Bernardino County in Southern California, where he attended Serrano High School in a district similar to Douglas County with two high school, three middle schools, five elementary schools and a k-8 school.

He completed his undergrad, master’s degree, and teaching credentials at the University of Laverne with studies in liberal studies: human development and education. He has over 15 years of teaching and administrative experience, most recently as the assistant superintendent at Ukiah Unified in Mendocino. He has coached and refereed soccer, football, basketball, and softball. Additionally, he has traveled and worked in many district.

“My goal was always to be become a superintendent,” he said. “I always wanted to be a leader and an educator. I am a people person, and I like working with people and helping to overcome conflict.”

At this time Alvarado is getting the temperature of the district and moving in a forward direction one step at a time.

“I’ve had the opportunity to visit some of our schools and interact with staff and students and I’m thoroughly impressed with our leadership and our highly qualified teachers,” he said. “It’s important to take it all in and not come in here thinking I know it all. I want to listen, learn and collaborate in moving forward.”