Thank you Healdsburg residents who support our schools.

Last week, TV personality and Healdsburg resident Ross McGowan
came to my office to discuss child nutrition in our schools. Ross
recently spearheaded a pilot program to bring healthy snacks to
Healdsburg Elementary School children with start-up support from
John Lloyd of Big John’s Market. We met to discuss ways to continue
or expand this important program.
At this meeting, I was impressed by the selfless generosity of
these Healdsburg residents who don’t have children or grandchildren
in our schools but who provide generous support of time and
resources. Later, as I discussed the meeting with my wife, I was
reminded of all of the generous Healdsburg residents who support
our schools even though they don’t have children in our district.
It’s truly remarkable, and it’s everywhere I look.
Here are just a few other examples:
Henry Hersch, retired attorney, volunteers as Chairperson for
the Healdsburg Charter School Governance Council. This important
and challenging role has helped set the course for the new charter
school opening this week. Henry has also served in a variety of
other roles including chairperson for the district’s strategic
planning process.
Ray Holley stepped forward with a vision for a progressive
construction arts program at the high school. He volunteered
countless hours to raise funds and coordinate a monumental
renovation of the old metal shop. Throughout much of last school
year, Ray motivated the students and ensured they had the tools to
make the first year a success. 
Tania Amochaev, Barbara Epstein, Jane Rosenberg and Lynne Brett
envisioned the Public School Success Team nearly three years ago.
The lives of 60 Healdsburg youngsters have been inspired and
supported since the inception of PSST. Another 30 students will
enter the program this week. None of these women currently have
children in our schools.
Gina Fontana, local dentist and Healdsburg resident, has served
as President of the Healdsburg Education Foundation for the past
four years – even though her youngest child graduated from
Healdsburg High School several years ago. Under Gina’s leadership,
HEF has channeled nearly $2 million to our local schools. She was
instrumental in the total renovation of two school libraries and
often visits our schools touring potential donors.
Tony Crabb and Barbara Grasseschi approached the district
several years ago with an idea to bring new technology to our high
school. Through a grant from Tony and Barbara, Healdsburg High
School students study Cisco networking systems and prepare
themselves for high paying jobs in the IT field.
Just last weekend, I was touring “open houses” in town and met
realtor Maria Melody who, it turns out, tutors weekly in Kathy
Robinson’s fourth grade classroom. She is one of many who
tirelessly give of their time to benefit children in their
community.
This list is not intended to be inclusive; Healdsburg is rich
with other volunteers and donors including our many service clubs.
But in my experience, school support of this magnitude by people
who don’t have children or grandchildren enrolled in the local
schools is not typical of other communities. It is just one more
way that Healdsburg is the best place I can think of to live, work
and learn.
On behalf of our children, thank you to the many Healdsburg
residents who support our schools.
Jeff Harding is Superintendent of the Healdsburg Unified
School District.