By Article Author
At the December 3rd Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting, the board issued a proclamation declaring December 20th to be “Calvin Baker Appreciation Day” in recognition of the long-time superintendent of the Vail School District. District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy presented the proclamation.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, good schools provide the foundation of a prosperous society and a strong, vital community and are an investment and public benefit that pays for itself in immeasurable ways, both seen and unseen; and
WHEREAS, Calvin Baker has led the Vail School District with vision and creativity for 31 years, first as principal of Vail’s then lone elementary school, then as superintendent of one of the premier unified school systems in the nation, boasting an inclusive preschool, ten elementary schools, six middle schools, four high schools, and a K-12 school; and
WHEREAS, in doing so, Baker helped transform Vail from an out-of-the-way postal stop surrounded by ranches into a key economic center and one of the
most desirable zip codes in Southern Arizona; and
WHEREAS, in his time as superintendent, Baker has created a responsive and innovative district that embraces technology and emphasizes high standards and personal accountability, all while staying on the cutting edge of education theory and practice, from opening Arizona’s first district-run charter schools, a blended learning center, and an online homeschool partnership, to developing the “Beyond Textbooks” program which allows teachers to share ideas, lesson plans, activities, and more; and
WHEREAS, Baker’s guidance has resulted in countless awards for the Vail School system as being among the best school districts with the best teachers in Arizona, and the nation, as well as one of the best places to teach, live, and grow in Arizona; and
WHEREAS, Vail schools’ success also stems from Baker’s philosophy of prioritizing parental involvement in a variety of means, including the empowerment of elected, parent-led site councils at every school, and the elimination of high school attendance boundaries, and the creation of district-run charter schools and other choices at the K-8 level; and
WHEREAS, Baker has established deep and abiding connections to our community, from the creation of a volunteer coordinator at each school charged with welcoming and connecting volunteers, to developing Vail Pride Day, the premier education event in Vail, held annually at the Pima County Fairgrounds; and
WHEREAS, in short, in many ways, the Vail School District is the Vail community; and
WHEREAS, the greatest testament to Baker’s approach to education can be found in the high-caliber and high-character students produced by Vail schools, who go on to attend the world’s finest colleges and universities or become skilled tradespeople or public servants; and
WHEREAS, the people of Pima County wish Calvin Baker great strength and a resolute heart, and look forward to his continued leadership in the Vail community and all of Pima County for years to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Pima County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims Friday, December 20, 2019, to be: “CALVIN BAKER APPRECIATION DAY”
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of December 2019.
