`EDUCATION SYSTEM FOUNDATION ON WHICH COMMUNITY IS BUILT'.

Byline: DAN FLYNN

On Oct. 14 the Simi Valley Board of Education unanimously agreed to the terms of a contract for me, and the next morning I assumed the superintendency of the district.

I thank each and every board member for putting their trust in me to lead the Simi school district. I take that responsibility very seriously and will work with the Board of Education, as well as the PTA, staff and community, in moving us into the 21st century.

I've been fortunate to have the unique opportunity to guide a good school district in a great community. It is my goal to work within a family-school-community partnership in developing nationally recognized, exemplary programs. I would like to carry on the outstanding leadership that Dr. Albert Marley has provided as interim superintendent over the last few months.

My goal as your superintendent is to impact the quality of life of the entire community through my creative and visionary leadership in collaboration with the community. I have firsthand knowledge of your outstanding school district and community, and very shortly my family and I will become a part of that community.

The challenge of selecting a new superintendent was daunting. The analogy of a marriage is applicable, as the quality of the match between a school board and a superintendent greatly affects the success of the union. I believe we're a great match. I hope to become a respected, long-term member of the community and a professional adviser on all education issues, where my views will receive a sincere hearing by individual board members.

I have received extensive training and demonstrated broad experience in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for all learners. My knowledge of the services and activities serving learners is grounded in 18 years' experience as a teacher, mentor teacher, curriculum chairman, program specialist, assistant principal and principal. These opportunities have covered a wide range of responsibilities including budget, accreditation, coordinated compliance reviews, program quality reviews and curriculum development.

These experiences culminated in a most positive opportunity, as a coordinator with Head Start for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. I provided leadership to a staff who monitored, trained, provided technical assistance and directed services to more than 18,000 children and their families with a $110 million budget.

In all these assignments, I have brought a clear vision of what constitutes an exemplary program. I have set high standards for my students, peers and myself. I'm especially proud of obtaining my goal of educational excellence with the recent publication of my dissertation, ``Effects of Parent Involvement on School Success,'' and on my recent graduation from USC's doctoral program, where I majored in educational policy and planning.

My program will have a strong foundation for students that will:

Provide a safe environment in which to learn.

Empower them to become effective communicators, decision-makers, problem-solvers and collaborative workers.

Develop strong moral and ethical values and the ability to reach individual potential.

Establish accountability based on results.

Increase effective parental participation and local control.

These goals will only be realized by creating a partnership among students, parents, teachers, administrators, the community, businesses, school board members and myself in defining and accomplishing those goals.

My wife and I have six children, ages 7-15, and believe that a quality education is the foundation to a successful life; hence, the local education system is the foundation on which the community is built. Therefore, I will move my family to Simi Valley and become part of it.

I strongly believe that community visibility is a key to being a successful leader. Currently, I play an active role in my community and would continue to do so in Simi Valley. I am the Westlake High School Site Council chairman, Conejo Open Space board member and a Conejo Youth Basketball board member. In addition, I coach youth basketball and soccer programs and play an active role in my church as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council. I believe this type of community involvement will complement my school leadership.

Perhaps the best example of the unique and significant role I can play in your school system is demonstrated by the words on the small plaque that occupied a prominent place on the desk of President Truman. That simple statement, ``The buck stops here,'' has and will continue to exemplify who I am as an instructional leader.

Based on my professional skills and abilities, personal qualities, professional education, experience and achievements, I am confident that I will provide the creative and visionary leadership that the Simi Valley Unified School District is seeking.