State of Our District

On September 20, 2023, Visalia Unified held their inaugural State of Our District, marking a significant milestone in the district’s journey of progress and growth. The event featured a showcase of student talent, including the decor and food provided at the event; acknowledgements of community partners; and a comprehensive overview of the district’s achievements and vision for the future.

Superintendent Shrum gave his opening remarks where he thanked the community for the warm welcome he has received since becoming a part of the community in May of 2022. He began by highlighting VUSD Board of Education’s successful development of their foundations including: a Mission and Vision, Core Beliefs & Commitments, and Commitment for Student Learning that have set the stage for the district’s success.

The superintendent followed by reviewing the conditions VUSD has developed in financial stewardship, labor partnerships, and safety investments. Visalia Unified has an operating budget of over $600 million dollars and negotiated the highest pay increase in the district’s history and in record time. In safety, the district has invested heavily in visitor management, emergency communication, and student safety.

Superintendent Shrum stated, “I’ve been privileged to work in multiple systems, but I have never been in a school system or a community where I have seen the level of involvement and support all the way from our City and our Mayor to our Police Chief and Fire Chief.”

Superintendent Shrum emphasized the importance of student achievement speaking on the doubling of reclassified English learners in the 2022-2023 school year. The district also saw increases in some aspects of the CAASPP scores, and clearly identified the need for continuous improvement. 

School Board Member, Dr. Todd Oto added, “We are excited to see the shift in student test scores this year. I look forward to even more growth in the coming years under the leadership of Superintendent Shrum.”

Superintendent Shrum recognized that the future of Visalia Unified relies on collective ownership, and by connecting their students to their instructors, extra and co-curricular activities, and the community.

Visalia Unified is carving a path forward through the development of a strategic plan called the “Visalia Unified Forward 2030: A Community-Driven Blueprint for the Future”, which will encompass the goals of the district and track outcomes.

Photos of the event can be found here.  

The livestream recording of the event can be found here.  

The annual report can be found here.