Parties Around Town Chamber Membership Drive Activities Chamber members having fun during the drive: (L to R) Keith Kadera thinking of how to get more members. Chamber staff member Amy Buckmaster makes sure everyone plays fair. Former Mayor Diane Howard enjoys the fun. Gino Gasparini takes a break and eats up. Nori Jabba relaxes and enjoys some Deseo chips before getting back to the drive. www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
<strong>Community</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> Lianides Named Sequoia Superintendent <strong>The</strong> Sequoia Union High School District trustees announced the appointment of James Lianides, Ed.D., as the new superintendent of the 8,200-student district in southern San Mateo County, effective July 1. Lianides, who currently serves as assistant superintendent and chief business officer of the Sequoia district, will succeed Superintendent Patrick Gemma, Ed.D., who retires on June 30 after more than seven years at the helm. “We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Lianides ready to succeed Superintendent Gemma,” said board president Olivia Martinez, Ed.D. “Dr. Lianides has a strong grasp of the needs of the district, and he understands the critical issues — locally, statewide and nationally. He’s also filled all the chairs over the course of his 30-year career in public education — teacher, principal, chief business officer and superintendent.” Immediately prior to joining the Sequoia district, Lianides served as superintendent of the Pacifica School District. “We are confident that Dr. Lianides will successfully leverage the momentum gained in the past couple of years, particularly in terms of continued progress in fulfilling the district’s 21st-century vision and five-year goals. At the same time, he will contribute new ideas and leadership to the upward trajectory achieved during Dr. Gemma’s tenure,” Martinez said. Since joining the Sequoia district in 2008, Lianides has overseen the district’s $100 million budget during California’s current fiscal crisis, the fallout of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and other significant financial developments. In leading the administrative services division for the district, Lianides has overseen construction of major capital projects, acquisition of a new student information system, and negotiation of agreements with charter schools, including the unique agreement reached last month with Aspire Public Schools. Lianides has also been involved in advancement of the district’s career technical education initiative. “<strong>The</strong>re’ll be no ‘down time’ during this pivotal transition,” noted Martinez, “which is particularly important now, with the significant challenges we currently face. Transition to Dr. Lianides promises to be smooth, without interruption to the ongoing work and achievements of our outstanding staff and excellent schools.” Lianides’ roots in the Sequoia district community date back to his childhood. He graduated from the district’s Woodside High School, as did his own two sons. He continues to reside with his family in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, and he is currently a member of the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Rotary Club. Following graduation from the University of California–Berkeley, Lianides, who is fluent in Spanish, taught bilingual classes in Los Angeles and <strong>Redwood</strong> City public schools and later served as principal of schools in Half Moon Bay and Mountain View. He joined the Pacifica School District in 1999 as chief business officer. During his tenure in that role, he was recognized statewide as Business Services Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators. Lianides was named superintendent of the Pacifica School District in 2006. That same year, he earned his doctorate in education through a joint doctoral program in leadership for educational equity sponsored by UC Berkeley and California State University. <strong>The</strong> contract agreement with the new superintendent, which is currently being negotiated, will go before the board at an open meeting in upcoming weeks. Recology Takes Home Outstanding Business Award Recology San Mateo County was presented with the Outstanding Business Award at a reception held for the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Sequoia Awards, a nonprofit organization that recognizes outstanding volunteerism in the community. Recology, the largest employee-owned company in its industry, has a longheld belief in giving back to the 46 communities they serve. In <strong>Redwood</strong> City alone, Recology has participated in and helped support the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fourth of July parade, the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Pride and Beautification Committee, <strong>Redwood</strong> Shores Clean Sweep Program, the Docktown Clean Up, the Mayor’s Beautification Awards, the Fair Oaks <strong>Community</strong> Festival, the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Summer Concert Series and the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Downtown Business Group Hometown Holidays parade. Accepting the award was Gino Gasparini, community affairs manager. “This is a great honor for all of us at Recology,” remarked Gasparini. “<strong>Community</strong> service is at the core of Recology’s philosophy, and I’m proud to accept this award on their behalf.” Gasparini also serves on the boards of the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Police Activities League (PAL) and the <strong>Redwood</strong> City–San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Sequoia Awards board of directors since 1995. Also acknowledged was Outstanding Citizen Award recipient Larry Purcell. Purcell founded the Catholic Worker House in 1975 and has worked to serve the homeless and poor in <strong>Redwood</strong> City for 36 years. <strong>The</strong> Outstanding Student Award and $10,000 scholarship went to Sarah Ducker for her work with several school, volunteer and community programs. Twenty-five high school seniors who actively volunteer in the <strong>Redwood</strong> City community each received a $5,000 scholarship. <strong>The</strong> Sequoia Awards is an all-volunteer organization founded by community leaders in 1990 with a single award of $500 to one student. It has since given more than $1 million toward the college educations of over 300 students. <strong>The</strong> organization receives donations from individuals and local companies each year and is operated through the volunteer work of the board of directors. Our Lady of Mount Carmel School Annual Festival April 30, May 1 and 2 <strong>The</strong> festival is a 30-year tradition of safe family fun, including carnival rides, great food, live local entertainment and games. Purchase ride tickets or single-day unlimited-ride wristbands in advance for greatest value. Wristbands and tickets may be purchased at various <strong>Redwood</strong> City downtown locations and at the school. Visit www.mountcarmel.org or call 650-366-8817 for more information. Nonprofit Grant Applicants Seek Health Care Funding A record 49 nonprofit organizations have made requests totaling twice the $2 million allocated for the Sequoia Healthcare District’s 2010–11 Caring <strong>Community</strong> health care grant program, district CEO Lee Michelson announced. Caring <strong>Community</strong> grants are prioritized funding in four areas of community health — youth and school health, programs that serve basic needs, mental health programs and those that support “healthy, active, engaged older adults.” Sequoia Healthcare District has provided approximately $9.5 million in community funding to more than 100 nonprofit organizations since the program began in 1997. <strong>The</strong> coming year’s $2 million grant budget also is the largest in district history. <strong>The</strong> 49 applicants have requested more than $4 million in funding, Michelson said. A district board grant review subcommittee has been reviewing applications and will present its recommendations to the full board for ratification or amendment at the board’s April 7 meeting. <strong>The</strong> Caring <strong>Community</strong> grant program subcommittee includes Sequoia Healthcare District board members Don Horsley and Kim Griffin and five community leaders: Pat Brown, CEO of <strong>Redwood</strong> City 2020; physician Jerry Shefren; health consultant and Oak Knoll Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization officer Karen How; Mental Health Association of San Mateo County Clinical Supervisor Ruth West-Gorrin and district resident Ann Wilkinson. Grant selection is a five-month process that begins with public solicitation of applications each December. Grantees are due to be announced next month and the first half-year grant payments presented at a Caring <strong>Community</strong> reception in Belmont on June 15. Sequoia Healthcare District supports community-based health care (continues on next page) <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 19
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