Profile #2, Senior Board Trustee: Chris Norwood

January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.

Name: Chris Norwood

Current School Board Title: Milpitas Unified School District Governing Board Trustee

Years on School Board: 10

Past School Board Titles w/years: 

• MUSD Board of Trustees President 2023, 2021, 2019
• MUSD Board of Trustees Vice President - 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022
• MUSD Board Clerk - 2016

Professional Occupation: Educational Services

How long have you lived in Milpitas? A long time 

Did you attend MUSD schools? Joseph Weller Elementary School, Thomas Russell Middle School, Milpitas High School

Do you have any children who currently attend or attended MUSD schools? Yes, John Sinnott Elmentary School, Rancho Milpitas Middle School, Milpitas High School, San Jose City College - Milpitas Extension

What motivated you to want to join the MUSD Board of Education? (3 parts)

Part 1: I have always been motivated to serve my community. Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the Most Powerful Weapon in the World.” Milpitas raised me to have a unique, faith-based, multicultural and inclusive lens. I graduated from Milpitas High in 1983 and began supporting different schools in MUSD in various capacities in 1986. I volunteered in classrooms, coached boys and girls basketball at MHS and Calaveras Hills HS, donated for field trips, volunteered to chaperone field trips, hosted free math, AP Computer Science prep, Cyber Security camps and more. 

Part 2: I first became interested in political office in 2008 when Barack Obama was elected. My dad was still alive and I saw how proud he was to be living in a moment he thought he would never see. I have never seen him so proud. In 2011, my dad died from cancer and he wasn’t supposed to. In 2014, I was inspired by former MUSD school board members from that era and proceeding, City of Milpitas former and current elected officials, the previous Superintendent, Milpitas residents, and community members who had children in Milpitas schools. I didn’t want to do it. I said “No" quite a few times. I am grateful for those around me who are persistent.

Part 3: I ran for Milpitas High School Associated Student Body (ASB) President in 1983 as a Senior, lost, and never forgot. 

What do you feel is the most important part of being on the school board?

The most important part of being on the school board is recognizing a school board member wears “multiple hats." The first hat is we are one of 5 governing officials for the school district as a whole with specific fiduciary duties and responsibilities defined by the education code and other applicable laws. We do not run the district, we govern how the district runs through the development of policies, procedures, resolutions, etc. The second hat is we are a community listener/learner/leader and have been selected to represent the voices of the entire community in the Milpitas public education arena. There is a lot to learn about public education and all of the different voices within. The third is we are also critical decision makers and our (almost volunteer) work is extremely time consuming, requires a commitment to lots of reading, making (life changing) votes in short periods of time, and constant reflection. 

What are you most proud of during your term on the school board?

I am entering my 3rd term on the school board. Each term has been a learning experience of service, expanding my knowledge of education, politics, community, budgeting, negotiations, effective communications and relationships. 

I am most proud of how often each board unanimously agreed on the decisions made on behalf of the MUSD and how we figured out how to work together as a successful team. Successful teams aren’t supposed to always agree or get along. I am proud of being recognized as the California State School Board Member of the Year in 2020 and Superintendent Cheryl Jordan being recognized as the ASCA State Superintendent of the Year in 2023. While I don’t do this for recognition, I recognize the community value of these types of prestigious opportunities. I am hopeful it has opened doors for Milpitas being a destination for high performing education leaders who deeply care about impact, new funding opportunities, partnerships and more. I am also proud of being an integral part of creating the future roadmap for education in the Milpitas Unified School District for years to come. 

During my first term (2014-2018), there was the return of the Milpitas Elementary Olympics which began in 1977, beginning of Love4Literacy, selection of Superintendent Jordan, board meeting recognitions of students, expanded technology budget to move to 1:1 devices for students, increased attention in grant writing, SJCC Community College - Milpitas Extension opening, Mabel Mattos Elementary School opening, and donations from community partners. 

During my second term (2018-2022), we revitalized relationships with city, county, state and federally elected officials, began a deep dive into building inclusive practices for our neurodiverse students (still a work in progress), MUSD EducatEveryWhere for MUSD students and food/mask/vaccine distribution to Milpitas residents in response to COVID-19, refinancing older bonds for lower interest rates to decrease taxpayer burdens, additional of athletic track fields at both middle schools, updating Maintenance, Operations & Transportation (MOT) and student nutrition facilities, broke ground for MUSD Innovation Campus and completed Mabel Mattos Elementary School. 

In my 3rd term (2022 - present), so far we opened the MUSD Innovation Campus and will be breaking ground on the MHS Performing Arts Center. The MHS Performing Arts Center was something promised to the community before my term on the school board and I’m excited to see it happen. Our arts programs have grown significantly over the years. We’ve raised several million dollars through relationships and I would like us to continue to minimize taxpayer burden whenever possible.

And while I am proud of what’s been accomplished, there is so much more work to be done! 

What is your favorite pastime?

• Spending quality time with my wife & kids
• Learning about public education systems and how they work
• Listening to Real Music
• Reading 
• Motivational speaking 

Tell us something about yourself that we may not know:

“I was cut from my high school basketball team in my sophomore year of high school, came back to coach at MHS several years later, and was a part of the Milpitas High School Boys Varsity Basketball team Central Coast Section (CCS) Championship Coaching Staff. I don’t have to win one way or the other. I just have to keep trying until I do.”
January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.

---