Harlandale Superintendent Robert "Bob" Jaklich called district Trustees Thursday night to inform them he is resigning to accept the same post at Victoria ISD. Jaklich is the sole finalist for the Victoria job and it will take effect in 21 days. The announcement ends a tumultuous period in which Jaklich won accolades for the small South side district but was given low scores by some board members on a recent evaluation.
Below is the email Jaklich out Thursday to announce his decision to leave the district:
Dear Harlandale Family Member;
It is another wonderful day in the Harlandale ISD and we hope you enjoy your last day of school with our students.
Last evening I was selected as the "Finalist" for the Superintendent position of the Victoria ISD. There is a waiting period of 21 days before the selection becomes official. I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for allowing me the honor and privilege to serve as the Superintendent of Schools for the Harlandale ISD.
Four years ago we began a mission that every employee would serve as a "Change Agent" and "Difference Maker" in the lives of our students.
We have clearly accomplished this goal. We have built relationships on trust and have focused on every student's unique potential. By committing our resources and our expertise to "Every Child, Every Classroom, Every Day," we have been able to make the impossible - possible.
In May 2011, the Harlandale Independent School District was awarded the distinguished H-E-B Excellence in Education award for the most outstanding large school district in the state of Texas. We are also featured as the Top Ranked school district in Bexar County by the Education Resource Group, and one of the top school districts in the state.
We have also been named as a Top Workplace by the San Antonio Express-News for the second year in a row (the only school district to receive this distinction) as well as a "National Top Work Place"; the recipient of a $5.6 million dollar Gear Up Grant to track 1,000 7th grade students through their first year of college; the Lumina Grant to increase the number of Latinos enrolling in college; the Texas School Ready Grant to enhance our focus on Pre-K teaching strategies; the Growing With You Grant to increase the number of middle school students interested in the field of Science and Engineering by providing an interactive curriculum, the CREST Award for Excellence in High School Counseling and the Second Annual Advanced Placement Honor Roll by the College Board.
This year approximately 13 out of 19 of our schools were rated as “Exemplary” or “Recognized” by the Texas Education Agency and 16 out of 19 of our schools received Gold Performance awards.
We have implemented “Reasoning Mind” computer labs in every elementary school to strengthen mathematic skills; we have expanded our Dual Language program into every elementary school, and we have constructed two new computer labs at our Technology Complex to further support our employees and their staff development needs with a video conference lab and self-study work stations.
In regards to school finance, we were able to address the legislative budget reductions with a positive outcome. No employee positions, stipends, or extra days were eliminated and we were even able to provide a healthy salary increase this year to each and every Harlandale family member. Most importantly, by careful financial planning we were able to increase our fund balance of $2.9 million in 2008-2009 to an extremely healthy fund balance of $43 million for the 2011-2012 school year.
It has been said that people who have great hearts and minds never have to fear what lies ahead, for their hearts and minds determine the quality of their future. It is truly evident that the future of Harlandale is in great hands. Never forget; YOU make us Harlandale.
It has truly been an honor to serve as your Superintendent of Schools. Thank you for challenging each other to do more, to learn more, to dream more, and most importantly to become more. Harlandale is a place where dreams come true and a place where you do not have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.
Thank You for Your Excellence.
Robert Jaklich, Superintendent
Harlandale Independent School District
