Hayward Unified School District

As a Hayward resident, as a parent of HUSD students, and as a HUSD employee I hope that the district can get its act together. Although I think most parents, teachers, staff, and administrators are hard-​working, knowledgeable and capable; their efforts/​effectiveness are hampered by poor leadership, uncaring colleagues and inadequate facilities/​materials.
Some schools have been renovated, but most are dilapidated. Textbooks are out-​of-​date (not common-​core aligned). The district’s focus is more on documents/​documentation, publicity, and «eduspeak» than on students. Everything looks great on paper, but the reality is a highly ineffective school district.
The superintendent has no education experience, and appears more interested in perks/​photo ops/​publicity than the day-​to-​day operations of the schools. The HUSD website (dubbed «Where’s Waldo» by many Hayward residents and employees because he is in every picture) shows him in China, at sports events, with celebrities, etc. Why isn’t he at the school sites??? He doesn’t even bother responding to mere parents/​students/​staff or visit school sites unless there is something in it for him. He was recently involved in a physical altercation and yelled expletives at board members at a school board meeting. The highly-​publicized police reports filed by board members resulted in lots of negative media coverage for HUSD. One of my sons was suspended when he used inappropriate language at school (I believe it was an appropriate punishment that taught him that there will be consequences for his actions). Yet the superintendent gets a wink and a nod, and is able to continue collecting his bloated salary and perks as if nothing happened. What does this teach our children??? It’s OK to hit and cuss if you have connections in high places???
The school board also appears dysfunctional, and does not appear to work well together. They have been plagued by petty arguments, physical altercations and sex scandals.
Many district administrators are unresponsive to both parents and employees. Many of them are job-​hopping opportunists that create high turnover and instability. They wouldn’t hesitate to leave the district they «care» so much about if offered a job elsewhere. In fact, many have done just that. Some have left the district, and when things didn’t go well for them at their new jobs, they had the gall to come back! There are a few that appear enthusiastic/​caring, but at the moment they seem to be in the minority.
Principals are a mixed bag. Lots of turnover, causing instability at some sites. Although some appear hardworking, knowledgeable and experienced; others seem to have gotten their jobs based on nepotism or based on a lack of qualified candidates that apply to HUSD because of its bad reputation. I heard that one principal was rushed up the administrative career ladder by his relative at the district office before he even had a teaching credential! I heard about another that was hired to run an elementary school even though he had never worked in one before being hired as principal. Is it any wonder that these are some of the most chaotic, worst-​performing schools in Alameda County?
Teachers are also a mixed bag. Some truly don’t appear to care at all; putting in minimal hours and effort. Some use their seniority to «bump» others (taking easiest/​most attractive positions and making new, inexperienced teachers deal with most difficult/​unattractive assignments), which causes instability and turnover. Examples include forcing newer teachers to take larger classes and combination classes (2 grades in same room, which is much more difficult to teach).
Some principals show inappropriate favoritism to some teachers and staff members at the expense of others. For example, making sure they get the best rooms, smallest classes, easiest assignments and promotions. This is sometimes done out of friendship, and sometimes because there are principals who have no idea how schools function (as mentioned above, the district has hired principals without any – or without sufficient– experience in the grade levels they are being put in charge of) and they need a teacher that can show them how. It turns into a «you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours» situation between the favored teacher and inexperienced principal.
On a positive note, it must be said that there are many district administrators, teachers, staff members and principals that really are amazing! They work hard, are knowledgeable and competent. And they care!
Unfortunately, the ones who don’t have really made their mark on the district, and there is low morale, confusion, disorganization and high turnover at all levels.

I used to have very good impression with this school district since I love Hayward Area Recreation so much.
I am so happy to have this chance to transfer to this district for one of their wonderful program. But, unfortunately… I have to say, they really have to review the people who worked there seriously. Those people have to be sharp and be responsive enough to keep up Hayward Unified School District’s name.
I have been leaving millions of messages, no call back. Whatever you need to get done, you have to make sure that you are at their face. Otherwise, you only gets frustration.
Hopefully they will improve sometime in the future. But since my son is getting older, I don’t think I need to get them/​me into something that is not necessary…

District Office for Hayward schools. Good people who work for a good cause. Educating our youths for tomorrow.