District LCAP Awarded Golden Bell Award at CSBA Conference

The Morgan Hill Unified School District (MHUSD) was selected as one of 57 recipients of California’s leading educational honor, the Golden Bell Award. Celebrating their 40th year, the awards are presented by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) to promote excellence in public education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance practices. 

MHUSD received its award at a well-attended reception and ceremony on Dec. 5, 2019, as part of CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show held from Dec. 5-7 in San Diego. The conference is the premier continuing education event for California school boards and the largest education leadership conference in the state.

The awards reflect the depth and breadth of education programs and governance decisions supporting these programs that are necessary to address students’ changing needs. MHUSD received their esteemed Golden Bell award for our Local Control Accountability Plan: Mapping the District’s Future Through an Integrated and Data-Informed LCAP in the Category “Closing the Opportunity Gap Through LCAP Implementation.“

A judging panel composed of experts from school districts and county offices of education across the state reviewed written entries and made initial recommendations. On-site validators then reviewed the recommendations and assessed the programs in action. 

MHUSD Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Glen Webb, has been writing the district’s LCAP for the past three years. Upon viewing this now award-winning plan late last Spring, staff from the Santa Clara County Office of Education praised its level of budget transparency, the depth of analysis, the accessibility to all stakeholders.

"Being recognized by the California School Boards Association is an honor and a testament to the hard work of all stakeholders who contribute to our strategic planning process,” says Webb.  “To win the category's top recognition for the effective use of the Local Control Accountability Plan statewide is truly special and an indication of the exemplary level of commitment, transparency and trust that our district has to act as responsible stewards of public resources. Our strategic plan along with our fiscal team's recently earning the highest possible school bond rating are valuable assets that we are very happy to bring to our entire community." 

 In addition to receiving the Golden Bell Award, MHUSD received a $1000 sponsorship award for the program, sponsored by Premier Business Affiliates, and presented at the ceremony.

CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. “This year’s Golden Bell winners truly serve as beacons of success as we work to more fully and equitably serve all of California’s public school students.” 

To learn more about the Golden Bell awards and all the winners, visit the program’s website at https://gb.csba.org/.