MUSD Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Root addresses the crowd. (Staff photos)
School administrators, teachers and community members gathered on Tuesday to celebrate the accomplishments of the Menifee Union School District and look ahead to the future in the MUSD State of the District event.
A packed house in the ballroom at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Menifee was witness to a thorough presentation on the district by Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Root, who supervises 18 schools and 1,740 staff members who educate more than 12,800 students. Student involvement and motivation were parts of the theme “Limitless Together”.
Harlie Granger, an eighth grader at Hans Christensen Middle School, opened the program by addressing the audience and talking about how the curriculum of MUSD schools has shaped her life. The crowd was then welcomed by Kyle Root, president of the MUSD governing board.
“I feel a sense of pride in this district,” Kyle Root said. “I see the growth, not only in the number of students, but the quality of education they are receiving.”
Jennifer Root (no relation) used her comments and a slide show to describe the growth and the goals of the district, which has expanded in the last two years with the opening of Kathryn Newport Middle School and Sally Buselt Elementary School. In addition, she discussed how Hans Christensen Middle School will be converted into TK-8 Hans Christensen Academy next year.
Overall, the tone of her presentation was one of a mindset open to all possibilities for growth and the development of young people.
“We need to be limitless when we think about the needs of our children,” she said. “We also want to focus on partnerships with the community.”
Root introduced board members Kyle Root, Jackie Johansen, Bob O’Donnell, Morgan Singleton II, and Xavier Padilla (not present). Root also praised the efforts of the board members of the Education Foundation, which includes 11 community leaders and administrators and is led by President Aileen Fickling.
Fickling told guests that the Education Foundation has funded 21 scholarship grants and has 18 ambassadors helping do the work of supporting education in Menifee. MUSD is heavily invested in corporate fundraising and has raised $46,000 of its goal of $66,000. The district also has a goal of $50,000 in individual fundraising.
Several award-winning administrators were introduced, including Melinda Conde (RCOE Administrator of the Year); Victoria Simpson (CLMS Teacher of the Year Finalist); Misty McBee (RCOE Teacher of the Year); Patrice Harris (ACSA Region XIX Middle Grades Principal of the Year); Bonnie Chilton (ACSA Region XIX Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year); and Jennifer Ruder (PAEMST California Teacher of the Year).
The presentation highlighted the fact that MUSD is rated as the highest performing TK-8 district in Riverside County overall. The district ranks fourth in math, fourth in science, and 5th in English Language Arts.
In addition, Root said that MUSD has the lowest chronic absenteeism in Riverside County. Average daily attendance has increased from 93 percent to 96 percent.
Performances were given by the Menifee Valley Middle School choir and the cheer team at Bell Mountain Middle School. The Hans Christensen Middle School orchestra provided music during the breakfast portion of the event.
Looking to the future, Root discussed the district’s plan to re-open Menifee Elementary School, the first school opened in the district. It has been closed for several years. Construction begins in June to renovate and add new buildings to the facility, which is adjacent to Menifee Valley Middle School.
The pilot program for a return to busing is underway to transport students from the McCall Boulevard-Encanto Drive area to Freedom Crest Elementary School – one of the greater distances of travel for students in MUSD. Root said officials are evaluating other possible routes to be added to the bus service.
Goals by 2028 include:
— Increase family engagement by 20 percent
— Increase student positive feelings by 20 percent across all grades
— Increase expanded learning opportunities programs
— Maintain school facilities with a rating of “good” at all schools
— Open elementary schools No. 15 and No. 16
— Open middle school No. 5
According to literature distributed at the event, the district also plans to evaluate the viability of unification – making MUSD a unified K-12 district that would include local high schools. MUSD students will have an opportunity to attend and/or participate in an extra-curricular event or activity sponsored by the Perris Union High School District, which currently includes Menifee public high schools.
A large gathering attended the State of the District event. guests.
Board president Kyle Root welcomed the guests.
The Hans Christensen Middle School orchestra performed at the event.
School mascots also welcomed guests.
