Whisman, Mountain View school districts bid farewell to an era Whisman, Mountain View school districts bid farewell to an era (July 13, 2001)

Two districts commemorate their past as they join together

By Amy Goodpaster Strebe

On July 1 Mountain View turned a new chapter in its history when the Mountain View and Whisman school districts officially merged to become the Mountain View-Whisman School District. After voters approved Measure C in last year's election, support for the merger came away with 77 percent of the votes.

One month before the merger went into effect, over 150 people turned out for the salute to the Whisman School District social held June 1 at the Mountain View City Hall Rotunda. Current and former employees socialized and swapped memories of the school district, which has been in existence since 1869.

"It was a wonderful party," said former Whisman Superintendent Eleanor Yick, who has been named the new associate superintendent administrative/student services for the Mountain View-Whisman School District. "I think there was a need to acknowledge an end to the district," she said.

On June 13 the Mountain View School District paid homage to their district at an ice cream social held at Graham Middle School. According to Kathi Lilga, executive assistant to Superintendent Trish Bubenik, approximately 100 current employees turned out to reminisce about their district, which was established 147 years ago.

"It was a nice celebration of the Mountain View School District," said Lilga, who has worked in the district since 1986. "We gave away some Mountain View School District memorabilia like mugs, pencils and shirts in drawings, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves," she said.

As the districts become one and head into a transitional year this fall, district employees reflected on the historic merger and the cultures of both districts.

"It's both bittersweet and exciting at the same time," said Monta Loma Principal Nora Guerra. "We've worked very closely with our colleagues on this, and it's been a very positive experience. Ultimately I think it will be a good thing for the kids."

Superintendent Trish Bubenik commented that "the merger brings an end to the era of both the Mountain View School District and collective culture among the six schools, and of the Whisman School District and the culture of their now three-school district," she said. "We hope to bring the best from each culture as we begin to create the culture within the Mountain View-Whisman School District."

Bubenik said that she is also looking forward to an enlarged pool of talent among the central and site level administrators.

"I look forward to the opportunity to maximize talents and expertise of the central administrative staff by narrowing job focus for more effective and efficient service to the nine schools in the new district," she said.

According to Lilga, despite the fact that the merger has been in the works since last November, there have been countless details to work out. "It's been a lot of work, but I think it's the right thing for the community," Lilga said, who likened the merger to an onion with many layers.

"We've taken the best of two plans and put them together to implement one plan," said Guerra. "I commend the staffs who are working together to move forward. It will be a fresh start for everyone."