NEWS RELEASE -- Students Still Get $150k in Scholarships but SD Unified falls short in Broad Prize bid

NEWS RELEASE from the San Diego Unified School District, Sept. 25, 2013

STUDENTS STILL GET $150,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS BUT SD UNIFIED FALLS SHORT IN
BROAD PRIZE BID

SAN DIEGO -- It wasn't first place, but San Diego Unified's Class of 2014
will still split $150,000 in scholarship money thanks to the The Eli and
Edythe Broad Foundation.

On Wednesday morning, the Foundation announced that the Houston
Independent School District was awarded this year's Broad Prize and
$550,000 in scholarship money for its students. Besides San Diego Unified,
other districts nominated were Corona-Norco, located in Riverside County,
and Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina.

"We're thrilled that San Diego Unified has been recognized as one of the
four best school districts in the United States," said Kevin Beiser, Board
of Education Vice President and Subdistrict B representative. "This is a
big win for the teachers that work constantly with our students to improve
their learning, and a recognition of the hard work done by support staff
in making a great environment for our students."

Superintendent Cindy Marten and retired Superintendent Bill Kowba -- on
whose watch the nomination was announced -- attended the award ceremony in
Washington, D.C.

"It was an honor to be recognized by The Broad Foundation," said
Superintendent Cindy Marten. "I am grateful to our team of employees who
work every day in-and-out of the classrooms for our children.

"This honor reaffirms that our community-based reform efforts and singular
focus on student achievement are making a difference."

Districts do not apply for this prize. Staff from the Broad Foundation
looks at test scores and other data from the 75 largest school districts
and picks four finalists. A team of independent educational experts then
analyze the districts and one winner is selected. Only the four top
districts receive scholarship money.

Kowba, who retired June 30, said he was "grateful to our San Diego Unified
employees for their dedication to our students."

"We are honored, humbled and grateful to the Broad Foundation for this
recognition," said Kowba, who retired June 30. "We appreciate their
feedback about our past efforts. It will help provide the district with a
roadmap for future efforts."

The $1 million Broad Prize is the largest education award in the nation.
It recognizes urban school districts that demonstrate the strongest
student achievement and improvement while reducing achievement gaps among
low-income students and students of color.

The $150,000 in scholarships will go a long way to help the Class of 2014
succeed, said Marten.

"I'm excited for our students who will receive Broad scholarships," she
said. "I can't wait to get back to San Diego."

The 75 largest urban school districts in America are automatically
eligible for the award each year. Houston Independent School District
will receive $550,000 in college scholarships for high school seniors who
will graduate in 2014. San Diego Unified, along with Corona-Norco Unified
School District in Riverside County, Calif., and Cumberland County Schools
in North Carolina, will each receive $150,000 in college scholarships.

The Broad Prize is awarded by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. Founded
by entrepreneur Eli Broad and his wife Edythe, both graduates of Detroit
Public Schools, The Broad Foundation is a philanthropic organization that
seeks to ensure that every student in an urban public school has the
opportunity to succeed.

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Jack Brandais | Communications Department | San Diego Unified School
District | (619) 725-5570 (Desk) | (619) 607-0477 (Cell)


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