Since I’ve been here, we’ve grown from a much smaller district, with many fewer schools, into a medium-sized district in the state of California. Swize: Just having finished my 32nd year here, it really has been a long-term vision for the district. The Desert Sun: What's your vision for Palm Springs Unified? It was a time period that challenged the district’s relationship with local law enforcement agencies, and a decision that frustrated some community members who did not want police stationed at high schools. In addition to the challenges of the pandemic, it took the district many weeks last fall to rehire school police officers. Under Swize’s leadership, the road for Palm Springs Unified has not been without bumps. Meanwhile, Palm Springs Unified (as well as the other Coachella Valley school districts) has poured resources into student mental health services. Plus, Cielo Vista Charter School teacher Nichi Aviña was named one of five California Teachers of the Year last fall. Out of 23 school districts in Riverside County, Palm Springs Unified produced two of the seven 2022 County Educators of the Year. The culture of gratitude seems to be paying dividends. The exhibit is just one example of district leadership sending a message to staff that their time outside of work is valued and recognized. Swize is very intentional about telling his employees how much he appreciates them and their time.įor example, near his district office hangs artwork created by Palm Springs Unified employees. It isn’t exactly what I thought I would be doing, but it’s the right thing to do and it’s what I believe.” I’ve relished that role over the last two years.

But the truth is, we couldn’t do any of those things until we continued to reassure people that we’re an organization that cares about one another. “I thought I’d be designing innovative programs and holding people accountable and raising test scores. “That’s not what I thought I would be doing as the superintendent,” he added. “I never thought that it would be critical for the leader of a large organization to say to 20,000 students and 2,800 staff members, I love you, I care about you, I want you to take care of yourself, and I want you to take care of each other,” Swize told The Desert Sun.

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