June 17, 2004

Retiring Superintendent of Schools Dr. Linda Murray honored at ‘Celebrate the Arts’ event

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Linda Murray was recently honored by the San Jose Unified School District at the Summit Center during a high-spirited evening of dinner and dancing and a silent auction focused on the arts. After 11 years of dedicated service and leadership, Dr. Murray will retire from the school district in August. Besides a video retrospective of her life and career, many paid tribute to her passion for education, including Mayor Ron Gonzales, Vice Mayor Pat Dando, School Board President Gary Rummelhoff, and members of the school board.

The event, “Celebrate the Arts,” seemed the perfect send-off for Dr. Murray as she has championed maintaining art and music programs in the schools, especially in times of budget crisis. In fact, the proceeds from this event were donated to the Linda Murray Arts Fund, which was recently established to support art enrichment programs throughout the school district.

“This came to be because we could encompass it into all of the schools,” remarked event chair Sheryl Stroh. “It was a really nice legacy to give her, because we’re going to continue to build on the Linda Murray Arts Fund, supporting the arts in the schools, which she loves.”

The silent auction included baskets donated by elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the San Jose Unified School District, as well as sculpture, lithographs, jewelry, spa, vacation getaways, and sports, theatre and symphony tickets. However, perhaps the most priceless items of all were a dining experience at the home of Dr. Murray that featured a five-course meal prepared by Dr. Murray and Master Chef and School District Director of External Programs Bill Erlendson; and an early morning ride for two with Superintendent-elect Don Inglesias in his classic Woodie, followed by breakfast at Paula’s Restaurant (a classic surf hangout) at Pleasure Point, and a surfing lesson from Inglesias.

“Each of us has had the pleasure to know and to work with a great leader of our public schools, Dr. Linda Murray,” stated Rummelhoff. “We have formed a special bond with this great lady. The board members and Dr. Murray have made a leadership team for the last eight years. When Linda began in our district, it was troubled to say the least. There was a poor relationship with the community, trouble in the schools, and far too little focus on the kids.”

“Today, people know the way to San Jose,” said Rummelhoff. “Dr. Murray has put our district on the map. We are recognized for being a leader in raising graduation requirements, for developing a strong public engagement initiative, raising nearly three- quarters of a billion dollars locally to rebuild our schools, and perhaps most importantly, narrowing the gap in student achievement between our lowest and our highest performing students.
“These accomplishments are no doubt due to the efforts of many, but one great leader has shown the way, and these accomplishments are a strong tribute to her character. In the time that I’ve been on the board, I’ve come to develop a strong personal relationship with Linda, one that I’m sure will survive the test of time. This is one of the most endearing qualities of Linda; to relate to people as people. Linda’s one of my heroes, and while I wish her the best in retirement, I’ll miss her greatly, and I ask her not to go too far.”

In a letter to Dr. Murray, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared, “The education of our children is our most vital responsibility and your unwavering commitment to California public schools is inspirational. As superintendent for 11 years, you’ve raised the academic expectations of students and greatly improved the quality of their education.

I’m especially appreciative of your tireless support of the ‘San Jose After School All Stars.’ Your efforts have given many young Californians the chance to follow their dreams and lead fulfilling, productive lives. Thank you for your devoted service on behalf of California’s future leaders. Your contributions have the earned the respect and appreciation of students, colleagues, and fellow Californians. Please accept my best wishes for every future success and happiness.”

Mayor Gonzales appreciates the connection Dr. Murray made with City Hall and hopes that this relationship will continue with her successor.

“This talks to the very issue of the future of San Jose, which is the young people,” he observed. Vice Mayor Dando agrees. “As the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Murray has cared for our children for many years,” she commented.

“And she has made great communities for our schools by partnering with the city. It is my hope that Don Inglesias will realize how important partnerships are with the city and the community.”

“Dr. Murray has always been an integral part of the San Jose community,” asserted the vice mayor. “Anytime there are school events across the city, as well as important issues at the city level, she’s gotten involved. I know she is as active in every school community as she is in District 10, and that’s saying something. She truly has dedicated her life to San Jose Unified all these years. We’re going to miss her a great deal and she’s going to leave big shoes to fill. I wish her all the best.”

“I’ve had great training being at Linda’s side over the past two years,” affirmed Superintendent-elect Don Inglesias. “She’s a great mentor.”

Dr. Murray earned her bachelor of arts degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta, as well as her Ph.D. in educational psychology. Following work as a child psychologist, she became an associate supervisor of instruction of Broward County Schools in Florida. In 1993, Dr. Murray was selected as the new superintendent of schools for the SJUSD. From the start, she supported elective programs in athletics and the arts, and championed the Celebrity Waiter Luncheon, which raised over $1 million for high school athletics and school music programs.

Exemplifying her belief in the school district’s motto, ‘All students can learn. All students can succeed,’ Dr. Murray raised the bar on school district high school graduation academic standards, making them amongst the highest in the country, as well as requiring 40 hours of community service. In May 2000, with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Dr. Murray made San Jose Unified the first school district in the nation to embrace robotics. In 2001, she was recognized as ‘Woman of the Year for Education.’

Under Dr. Murray’s leadership, over $600 million in bonds were passed to improve district schools, and since 1992, SJUSD increased the number of California Distinguished Schools from four to 27, and the number of National Blue Ribbon Schools from one to 10. Four SJUSD high schools have been recognized by Newsweek Magazine as being among the top 500 out of 12,000, high schools in the nation. The SJUSD is the only district in the state to receive two silver awards in excellence, and is one out of seven districts in the nation to receive a Baldridge Quality Award in Education.

“This isn’t just about me—this night is about the arts and our schools,” stated Dr. Murray. “It’s about giving back to our kids that which is the most precious in their educational experience, and that’s to bring the joy, wonder and love of music, and the visual and performing arts back to our children. When I came here in 1993, I was appalled we didn’t have that, and it’s what I want to leave behind—the commitment to bring back the joy of the arts to our children and to allow the arts to be an integral part of our school system, while building their academic strengths.

The funding has to come from our local communities. That’s why I’ve been here and will continue to be here in our community. I feel privileged to have served this community for eleven years. It’s an extraordinary community of people who care.”

In August 2003, Dr. Murray’s daughter, Christine, gave birth to Murray’s first grandchild, Cora. Noted Dr. Erlendson, “And so in her personal life, as well as professionally, Linda Murray will continue to touch the lives of children, providing inspiration, encouragement and compassion. There can be no greater legacy.”