Winter Break 2024⛄Superintendent’s Newsletter

Dear Fremont Unified Community,

As we approach the holiday season, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you. I appreciate the warm welcome to the district earlier this year. It’s hard to believe that the end of December will mark my first six months on the job. Fremont feels like home now. I wake up every day inspired and excited to come to work. It’s the honor of a lifetime to serve as your Superintendent. My first year, thus far, has been filled with challenges and triumphs, and your unwavering support has been key to our success in navigating through it all.

At the Board of Education’s regular meeting on December 18, Budget Director James Arcala presented the first interim budget report, which included a more accurate projection based on actual spending. I presented updated cut targets based on this report and proposed budget cut items, organized by funding category and ease of implementation. The Board asked clarifying questions and shared feedback, which our staff will take into account as we prepare our final recommendations for the next board meeting on January 8, 2025.

Thank you to those who have shared feedback in the re-opened budget input portal – the Trustees have received copies of the input before the December 18 discussion. After reviewing the updated reduction scenarios, please continue to provide specific feedback, which the Trustees will receive before the January 8 decision. The portal will remain open until Friday, January 3, 2025.

Please join me in welcoming Trustee Rinu Nair, our newest Board member for Area 4. She is a FUSD alumna who recently graduated from Irvington High School; we look forward to her leadership and unique perspective. Trustee Nair has been elected to fill the position left by Trustee Yajing Zhang, recently elected to Fremont City Council. I know the community joins me in thanking former Trustee Zhang for her service since 2000, and wishing her the best in her new endeavors.

At the start of my tenure in the district, I set the goal of visiting all 43 school sites before the end of 2024 – I’m excited to share that I have accomplished the goal TODAY! I have witnessed countless examples of high-leverage instruction, thoughtful care of our students, and collegial collaboration among staff. My best days are when I can visit schools and see the magic happen in classrooms. We have so much to be proud of in Fremont Unified! Mascots of FUSD.

As we approach the budget reduction decisions, my staff and I are working hard to protect what makes Fremont special. I am hopeful about the future, even though that hope starts with some tough reduction decisions.

Thank you again for your dedication to our students. I wish you and your loved ones a joyful and restful holiday break, and I look forward to our continued journey together in 2025 – making it the best year yet!

In partnership, Superintendent Burmeister