By Clyde Noel

Rich Fischer is in his seventh year as superintendent of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, and he’s thrilled about working in the community.

“Do you realize what a powerful community this is?” Fischer asked the members of the Los Altos Kiwanis Club last Tuesday at Beausejour restaurant. “I’m impressed and pleased with the different levels of communication within the agencies, and the response from the community.”

Fischer said the local tax base keeps the district insulated from the state and allows the district to hire and retain the best teachers. When school started last week, 32 new teachers were hired and the district increased by 200 students.

“I try to interview each new teacher, and they are tremendous folks. We hire a lot of people from other schools because they want to teach here,” Fischer said. “We balanced the budget to keep our class size reduction with the help of community contributions,” he added.

The construction of both high schools is finished, and Fischer said it was a nightmare during the construction years. There was still $5 million left after the $58 million bond issue, and that is going toward replacing the athletic fields. The fields will be completed by Oct. 10.

Fischer said the district’s SAT scores exceed the county, state and national averages. He said goals are set for honors and advanced placement (AP) classes. Students have to know what they’re doing to get into the AP classes, and those students get the highest grades.

“One of the reasons our kids do good is we make them take the PSAT during the 10th grade to get them ready,” Fischer said. “That way they aren’t afraid to take the SATs.”

Fischer beamed when he spoke about the new campus for Alta Vista High School.

“It is designed for kids who have not kept up with their grades. We have about 150 juniors and seniors,” Fischer said. “Seven years ago we had eight kids graduate. This past year we had 65, and that is a trend we should all be proud of.”

Fischer was unhappy that the state board had put off the high school exit exam.

“We were close and within a few kids, and all would have passed the exam,” he said. “We stepped up the program in geometry and algebra so the kids could pass. There cannot be any throwaway kids. If you don’t graduate from high school you’re dead.”

Fischer struck a somber note in his speech when he said, “It’s a stressful time to be a teenager. We see it manifested in the home parties the kids throw. If you have teenagers and leave home, there will be a party in your house. Most are using drugs and alcohol.”

Other teenage problems concern suicide and a high enrollment in the eating disorder program at El Camino Hospital.

Fischer thanked Community Health Awareness Council for its programs for interns who help with teenage problems. Those interns are placed in good schools and receive support from the school administration.