Los Altos Town Crier » Cupertino schools superintendent takes office

By Traci Newell

Image from article Cupertino schools superintendent takes office

Quon

With 12 years of experience under his belt, the new superintendent of the Cupertino Union School District is confident he can handle any issues that come his way.

Phil Quon began his reign over the Cupertino district this month. The Cupertino Union School District serves more than 16,500 students in 20 elementary schools and five junior high schools, including Montclaire Elementary School in Los Altos.

“Walking in the door here on Wednesday morning (July 5) really began a new chapter of my life, and I’m really excited to be here,” Quon said.

He comes to the Cupertino district from Union School District in San Jose, where he served as superintendent for 12 years. He left Union after completing a modernization bond program and budget ahead of schedule.

“My goal (for the district) is not only to maintain test scores but also to look at developing a whole program for the whole child, because test scores are not the end-all product that we strive for,” he said.

The new superintendent is keeping busy this month visiting the district’s five summer schools and familiarizing himself with his new staff and community.

“It’s a great community,” Quon said. “I think people hold education as a high priority and they are willing to invest the time and energy into doing what’s best for the kids.”

Though Quon said he believes state funding should increase, he also believes that education spending should become more efficient.

“We need to do our job better - we are always crying for more money. Yes, we do need more money, but I also think we have an obligation as educators to say with that money, ‘This is how we are going to spend it to be more efficient,’” he said.

In his previous position, Quon often received calls luring him to other districts. When he heard from a headhunter about the opening at the Cupertino Union School District, he jumped at the chance. He said the Cupertino district is only one of two school districts he would consider working for. He said the transition was tough because he was very attached to Union, but he is looking forward to his time in Cupertino.

Quon has served on the statewide superintendents’ council and has been an active voice lobbying in Sacramento on behalf of public education. He was recently honored as the Superintendent of the Year for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 8.

Quon lives in San Jose with his family. His daughter recently graduated from the University of California at Irvine, and his son is finishing up his fire certification at Mission College in San Jose.