Albany Unified School District

June 2013

Dear Parents, Students and Community of Albany,

On Tuesday, 6/11/13, I announced that I am planning to retire June 30, 2014. I want to give the Board and the school community ample time to make a good choice in the District's next leader and to minimize any distraction for our outstanding teachers, classified employees, administrators and, of course, our students.

I have served public education for 26 years, with the last 14 years spent in Albany. Who would have predicted that the economic recession would have occurred just two months after I was hired as superintendent? I am proud that our district has weathered the fiscal storm of the past 5 years. We have been able to maintain music, art programs, librarians, science and physical education specialists and a 7 period day for grades 8-12. We did not cut salary or benefits to employees and managed to maintain a healthy reserve.

In spite of fiscal challenges, we improved our API scores every year, we passed a parcel tax, built a new aquatics facility, put a strategic plan into place and are working on a facilities master plan. I am proud of what has been accomplished and extremely proud of Albany High School’s recognition as a “California Distinguished School.”

I remain committed to providing an excellent education for Albany students and assisting with the transition to a new superintendent.

Yours in Education,

Marla Stephenson, Superintendent



(previous correspondence are archived below)